Look at us!  The last time everyone else in Georgia got snow it missed us!  Not today.  We had a fun filled day building snowmen, making snow angels, just playing in the snow!!!!  Matthew was impressed at my ability to roll a giant snowball around the yard.  I kept reminding him I grew up with snow.   It was a wet snow.  The pictures were taken with my phone so apologies to the quality.
Here is a few pics of the chickens, garden and our angels.

Today was supposed to be park day.  The children have park day 2 days a week with their homeschool pals.  It is something they really love and look forward to but  weather has been cold and rainy. Today was the same-- parkday canceled.  UGHHHHH   I kept trying to come up with ideas to give them something fun to do.  I have been wanting to go to the National Infantry Museum for some time.  It is a BEAUTIFUL presentation close to Ft. Benning.  Whoever was the Architect did a wonderful job with the flow of history design.  They had a simulation room, the only one of its kind available to civilians in the United States.  It was a room where you could use real weapons and learn how to shoot at targets in the same manner that the US Military learns.  We were the ONLY people there.  The man took his time showing Matthew and Abby how to properly hold a weapon and the history behind each one.  Matthew quickly asked where the trigger was for the Grenade Launcher...... (crazy boy).  They had a room where you could dress up like a Soldier, Matthew loved that!  There was so much to see and the volunteers were so helpful.  I really need to go back soon because we just skimmed over everything because of Matthew's attention span.  I want them to love Museums and not feel like it takes all day.  We absorbed all we could for one day and went home.  Two thumbs up for those who have not visited!
Here is a link to the Museum.National Infantry Museum

On New Years Eve I noticed that one of my friends who lives in the Netherlands was celebrating by making a pastry. They have a tradition to make these things called Oliebollen.  They are what the Dutch eat to keep the evil spirits at bay.  It may keep the evil spirits away but might bring on a cardiologist  because they are fried in Lard!   Sooooo anyway I thought it would be a good chance to have a baking and a Geography lesson at the same time.  We got our our Globe looked up the Netherlands had a quick lesson then moved to the kitchen to get down to "business".   

I had this great idea to start baking sourdough bread.  I had read about San Fransisco having the best sourdough so I went online to order one.  Well if you all know how I am, I ordered 4 different sourdough starters to try to see which sourdough had the best flavor.  For those of you who don't know what sourdough starters are then click HERE
Basically it uses natural yeast..  The thing about sourdough starters are they are like PETS.  You have to feed them often while you are growing them.  Sounds easy?  Feed the starter 3 times a day in the beginning days. flour and bottled water.  Ok reach back in your memory and recall how to make paper mache.... flour and ohhhh ya water.  I start feeding all four starters.  When you feed the starter you take out a cup of starter and feed it a cup, take out, feed, take out, feed, take out, feed.  I started to feel like that old duncan donuts commercial..time to feed the starters.... and then
and then........ I found out some crucial information..........................................
Lets say you have a starter from San Fransisco, and I did.  If you have that starter the natural cultures of yeast in Columbus Ga will take over the yeast from San Fransisco.  AHHHHHHHHHH I had been feeding starters to the point the whole house smelled SOUR!  I threw up my hands and now I have one starter.  Yes, I do feed it because it is alive.  The cool thing about sourdough starters is that you can SHARE them with your friends (or enemies)   So I am warning my friends in advance that if a starter just happens to come to your doorstep or in the mail YOU HAVE TO FEED IT.  Millions of yeast depend on you.  Here are my tips to keeping your sourdough pet.  DISCLAIMER: I don't have a doctorate in Breadmaking this is what I know from observations.
Feed your starter.  I like to make it more like a really thick pancake batter.
Always use plastic no metal.
Always use bottle water because tap will kill your pet.
If you are not actively using your starter feed it once a week (store in fridge)
When you DO want to use it feed it twice a day for 2 days then use. (store on countertop) someplace warm.
ALways take out the same portion you are putting in.  I am keeping about 2 cups.  I take out a half cup or so then feed a half cup or so.
I mix water and flour together to get a thick pancake dough consistency then add it back.
I have found the thicker the starter and the more often I feed it the more sour it is.
I have also found that letting the dough have a long proofing time in the fridge makes it more sour. 
I highly recommend this method of making sourdough bread.

NO KNEAD SOURDOUGH EASY!

I have to admit I have made some KILLER sourdough bread!  I highly recommend having a starter! 

Recently with my Sister moving to the Artic, Oh I meant Colorado.  It just seems like she is in the Artic.  Very far away.  I never really thought much about being an Aunt.  I kinda thought when I grew up someday I would be an Aunt.  I loved my Aunts!  I have such fond funny memories of all of my Dad's Sisters.  Recently my friend Iris mentioned she was making Tuna casserole.  Instantly I had an image of my Aunt Lou Lou (ya thats what I called her)   To me just saying the 2 words...well lets just say, I dislike it.  We (my siblings) had gone to stay with my Aunt Lou Lou for a few days.  We sat down to dinner.  I was STARVING because playing with the cousins was big work.  We all sit down at my Aunt's table to eat.  We pray.. which was kinda weird for me back then but that's the way things rolled at my Aunt's house    Here is how the conversation went.
Me:  What's for Dinner Aunt Lou Lou!??
Aunt Lou:  Tuna Casserole!!  It even has potato chips on top.   (she was very excited to serve it)  I am sure to everyone else this WAS exciting news...
Me:  Aunt Lou Lou... UH WE (speaking for the siblings because I have a big mouth)  WE DONT EAT TUNA CASSEROLE.....
Aunt Lou Lou... Very calmly  spoken with great love I am sure " Well at our house you eat what I fix and what I put in front of you"
Me:  Eyes watering and wondering if Aunt Lou  was gonna get Uncle Ron to spank me cause there was no way in Hell I was going to eat Tuna Casserole. 
Me:  sits and stares.. and stares and stares.  Aunt Lou Lou FINALLY EXITS the kitchen.  I jump up and run to the Casserole dish and I slide  that serving RIGHT BACK IN---I then RAN to my seat sat down and wiped my mouth!
I am sure my tummy growled for the rest of the night and I AM pretty darn sure she KNEW I did not eat that casserole  
I have learned so much from each of my Aunts.  One had a gift for baking and sewing.  I would sit and watch her making cinnamon rolls, she also taught  me how to ride a horse.  Another Aunt taught me about hiking and learning to hunt arrowheads. One had the gift of writing and laughter. One taught me about manners, making beds, how to fold clothes!  I will never forget riding in a car going somewhere with one of my Aunts, she rolled down her window to talk to a flagger.  You know those people who stand at the side of the road in construction zones?  As we pulled away I asked her if she knew him?  Her reply was NO- I was just being friendly. She had told me how hard that job is standing out in the weather and how not very many people are nice to you.  Years later the scene repeated itself in my very own car.  My daughter looked up and said, "Did you know him"?  The answer was No, but it brought a smile to my face because the memory of my Aunt came to me and I repeated the same words that she had told me that day.  The Aunts brought such words of wisdom and grace to me over the decades.
I love being an Aunt.  I can only imagine the crazy things my Nieces an Nephews are going to say about me.  I can only hope that the glean something from Aunt Rena like I did my sweet Aunts!

It's almost over isn't it?  So much going on.  I can't fit another thing into this month... well I will try not to.  We started off our December like we have for the last decade--- at Disneyworld.  I know I should not complain but the magic for me has worn off a bit.  It is like a symbol of materialism at its finest.  Everywhere you go you keep with the subliminal message BUY ME!  Spend, eat, indulge.  We go to Disneyworld for the spouses business every year.  He is gone during the day and I am hand in hand taking the pups to all the parks!  This year we had the nice fortune of meeting up with our good buddy Iris and her family.  It was nice to have friends to enjoy the parks with.
  While in Orlando I went and picked Oranges and Grapefruit at the same place we went last year.  Abby and Matthew fought and bickered the whole time until I pulled out my phone to take a pic and then they acted like best friends (rolls eyes).

Not sure when this tradition started.  I am sure it was probably when Abby was about one.  We had a new baby and a new dog.  Our new baby was very interested in pulling off ornaments and sticking them in her mouth, our new dog wanted to eat the glass balls like her rubber balls.  I kept thinking what can I do?   I decided to dry some citrus in 1/4 inch slices and hang them as decoration.  I use about $15.00 in citrus and my dehydrator.  The dried slices look like pieces of stained glass on the tree.  After Christmas I toss them.  The house smells of lime right now! 

The seasons are changing.  The children are growing and MY SISTER is moving.  Yes, not really sure what to think of that.  I keep trying to be happy but deep down I really hate change.  I keep telling myself that I will get to see her just as often but I know that can't be true. Abby is jealous her cousin is living the American dream in the best place ever.  I think I will like to visit Denver.  I have not spent much time there.  She leaves this month.  I know change is coming.  How will it be without her?  The voice of interior decorating and fabric, educator to my children, daughter to the Potter, and friend to me.  I hate being alone with change.  I hate that she will not be here to help me as she always does.    I have decided to see her in May to help her put in her very first Colorado garden.   Change.  It can be good.  I know it can.

We celebrated Georgia History today by going to Westville.  Westville is a real colonial "town".  They had story telling people telling the story about the history of Georgia.  They had a Blacksmith, candle maker, a Indian, an explorer and MORE.  It was sweet but a little on the over the top side.  I could tell after 5 minutes Matthew had the "checked out nobody is home look"   I honestly enjoyed it more then the kids I think.  It was also geared more toward adults.  The kids got to hang with their Peeps and that is what matters.  I hope some history fell into their brains.  I myself learned a lot. 
Westville.org.
Here is Abby and I loving the day!

We decided to go hang out in Orlando.  My sister is moving to Colorado soooon.  In fact while we were there someone came and looked at the house and made an offer!  Yep, it looks like pending a home inspection she will be moving Nov 30.
The cousins did not have school so we took everyone to the Orlando Science Center for some fun.  As usual we had a grand time playing like cousins do.  While at the OCS we saw an IMAX show on the Grand Canyon.  We came out running to the computer to book us some reservations to go and see that!  We really would love to take our kids and head in that directions.. plans plans plans
Iris my friend from Miami surprised me, she came up to go tricker treating with her kids!  I love my FRIENDS!