Tomato Crazy

All in 31 days..... May

GARDENGURL — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:27:00 GMT

I can't believe we fit all of the stuff in that we did in May but we did. It may explain why my truck smells like ChickfilA and old coffee.... But here it goes. I am going to go in reverse order.
The Spring garden is coming with with lots of peppers, potatoes, some cherry tomatoes, potatoes, basil, mint, oregano, parsley, and heirloom cukes from many countries. I believe we have India, China, Japanese and some American pickling cukes!
I am still loving my bees and am soaking up all then information I can. I have a local beekeeper mentor that I recently helped extract some honey. He is 83 and has been beekeeping for over 30 years. While I was in Florida I stopped at every local honey place I could find LOL. I found one big commercial beekeeper who actually opened up a hive and gave me all kinds of advice. I bought 3 kinds of honey from him. Iris my friend in Miami was a little frightened when he pulled out a few thousand bees and started showed her the queen and some drones. I also had the chance to go back to the place I purchased my bees and spend the day seeing all they do. It was pretty cool seeing my first live swarm.

Here is the extracting

extracting honey

Here is the link to the Spring Garden

Spring Garden

Abby had her 11th Birthday at Paws Humane Society! She is such an awesome, giving child. I really was shocked at the turn out of people. She asked that people bring the Humane Society shelter presents instead of herself for her Birthday. It was a HUGE thing for a little (ok BIG) girl to do. Not only did she get some really cool gifts she also got 170. in cash Donations. Way to go Abby!

We met up with our favorite family the Dennisons for a little relaxing time at Vero Beach and in Orlando. On the last night there it was a full moon and I had decided to let Abby stay up late and walk the beach in hopes we would find a sea turtle nesting. I silently prayed walking in the darkness with Iris and her husband that we would see a turtle coming out of the surf to lay her eggs. We walked down the beach and as we were coming back, what did we see but a large shape coming out of the waves! It was a turtle. She slowly climbed up the dune and started to position herself to make a nest I suppose. We decided at this point it would be better to go back to the hotel as to not disturb her. In the morning Iris took some pictures of where the Turtle Conservation people had found the nest and had already roped it off. She also took a picture of the sea turtles tracks. These tracks tell us it was a Green turtle that was the mom of that nest

While in Orlando we hit the Disney Water park Typhoon Lagoon and the kids and US had a blast in the wave pool and the slides. My personal favorite is the lazy river.
John drove down in his own vehicle and we all went to Nasa Kennedy Space Center. It was on my list of places I feel like my children should see before they are grown. I am going to say this before I tell you about our experience with the KSC. Maybe you have children that have more attention span then a fruit fly but I do not. It was the biggest waste of time for our family. We gleaned 4 important things from the whole experience (ok maybe 4).
1. Going to NASA is pretty much akin to going through the Atlanta AIrport when the color is RED. The security is such that you can't really see much at the tour. If you know my child Matthew you can imagine how excited he was to view the buildings from miles away because we could not get very close. The glossy look came over his face and he started to think up ways to totally annoy me in a bus load of foreign people who I am sure were saying all kinds of things about us in German.
2. After all the zillions of dollars we have spent at Nasa creating the most amazing Shuttles, suits, telescopes, rockets, VELCRO and dried ice cream for heavens sake YOU WOULD THINK that at THE LAUNCH SITE....
Can I SAY THAT AGAIN?
AT THE LAUNCH SITE this is what they have for a restroom.

Yes you do not have to rub your eyes as they are NOT playing tricks on you. This folks is a porta potty that is at our Nasa Space center launch pad. I have to tell you inside that green one at the end was a spider. That spider was pretty much Abby's excitement for the whole tour until........................................................
yes wait for it.................................................................................................... until she spotted this..................
a Gopher Turtle.

I know please do not send me comments about how wonderful you think the space center is ok? I am only speaking from my humble experience.

I have to tell you Matthew did like what they call the CRAWLER. It is a large thingy ma bob that moves along a track and transports the shuttle to the Launch pad that as you already know has a porta potty.

I really liked this picture and wondered how much a garden might run me up at the space station? I already feel like my tomatoes at home easily run me more then a buck a piece......

Mid May Abby and Matthew had Reader's Theater. I promise you that we as homeschoolers are trying to shake off that image that we sit around in our pajamas all day. It was really neat to see Matt and Abby together doing a play.

Check out that cheesy grin. Abby was the evil witch who tended a garden and Matthew was her EVIL RADISH/assistant.

So much more happened on our trip, campfires, smores, singing, honey, educational centers, good friends and lots of fun in the sun. Here is a link to a few of the other things we did in May.

the rest of May

I wish I could say that June has come in like a lamb but I took up a new hobby last weekend and will update my blog with pics of that next time.
Hope everyone is having as great of summer as we are!
Rena

I'm in LOVE

GARDENGURL — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:51:00 GMT

No really, the bees are everything I expected and more. It's like a hobby--- type science experiment. I have read so many books and subscribed to the bee journal but nothing prepares you like really having them and gaining experience head on. It is a hobby that I can see me enjoying for a very long time. I can only hope I can learn as much and as fast as I can so I can in turn mentor someone else in this awesome experience. I spend my evenings reading forums, articles and any or type of info I can on bees. There are so many variables. In one of my books it says that keeping bees is easier then a dog but more work then a cat. The jury is out on that for me because I still have so much more to learn. I can tell you this..... I can already see myself with loads more hives. I really want to get with the guy who sold me the bees and spend a day on his bee farm helping him do whatever it is he does. I think that would be amazing.
Can you see the bees have already built up a bit of the frame?

Second time using the smoker. I learned an important lesson I NEEDED MORE SMOKE. I had a small smoldering fire. The last time I smoked them I had toooo much smoke. Lesson learned.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

GARDENGURL — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 00:05:00 GMT

Whewwwww I did it! I did it! I did it! I finally got my Bees! I rolled out of bed at 4:45, infused some coffee and out the door to south Georgia to pick up my Bee hives. Bees come in boxes. In the box come a queen and some attendants. The queen is in a tiny cage about the size of a large matchbox. The tiny box is in the package of bees.

The bees can smell her and start transferring her sent all over the entire package. On one side is a cork and the other is a hole filled with CANDY. Yep, candy. Once you hive the bees they eat through the candy and release the queen. During that time they get used to her and they become a real hive! The catch is getting the queen box out of the box of zillion bees and then hanging her in the hive AND then DUMPING POUNDS of bees into their new home....as quickly as possible. The other problem I encountered was that in my excitement to have bees I ordered 3!! I had to do it 3 times! While I was at the bee farm I went ahead and picked up a hive that was already "hived". So as of today I have 4 hives.
I arrived home and unloaded all the bees and hives. I had yet to even take my bee suit out of its plastic wrap. I placed all my tools and the hives where they needed to be. I put the new bees in the shade and proceeded to "suit up". I started getting a little worried after feeling how much these bees weighed. A single box was FILLED with bees. My hands started shaking, I barely could get my hat net thing on. I had to zip it on my suit. My gloves felt like I was wearing gloves that could belong to the Michelin tire man. I got my spray bottle filled with sugar syrup. This syrup is what keeps them from flying up at you. I pried off the piece of wood and bees started coming faster then expected. I threw the gloves off and went bare handed. BEES were FARKIN everywhere! As I hived number 2 and 3 I got better at getting them wet with syrup. As I proceeded the air was filled with bees. Local bees started showing up! It looked like something out of a old time cartoon. Bees everywhere! The good news is that I did not get stung once! I did have an epi pen standing by in case. My sister and Dad are both allergic to bees. My bee allergy status is unknown at this point. Here are some pics of the Bee Farm L and H and my new hives. I am a happy bee Mom.

MY HIVES!!!!!

Note that the hive on the far right is very Mad!! I let them out and they quickly covered the hive.

March-What is growing on?

GARDENGURL — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:28:00 GMT

I am going to try to do this update as quick and as seamless as I can    So many things going on. Welllllll tonight I played Hockey with Matthew in my first game. It was the last practice/game of the season and they played the PARENTS. It was sooooo much fun actually getting to skate a game. The refs were from our local team the COLUMBUS Cottonmouths. They were very quick and ...errrr helpful. At one time Matthew and I were going for the puck and we collided. You can imagine the adrenaline felt as a pack of 6-8 year olds are coming after you with full padding, a stick and some sharp skates. I think I might need some sort of geratol cocktail in the morning, but I survived!!!! Its an ugly cell phone pic but we FORGOT our camera.
.
Last week we went to my Grandmother's land in AZ. It is 200 acres located near Snowflake AZ. Some of it was given to me by her and some I purchased from other family members about 7 years or so ago. My Grandma was an eccentric woman who danced literally to the beat of her own drum. She not only danced but she probably had an Indian war yelp in there somewhere She bought the land back in the early 70's when they sold off what was called the White Mountain Ranch. Each acre was roughly 250 dollars. It was her dream to build a rammed earth home there. Grandma Thelma was a teacher at the local Indian reservation. She would go to her land on the weekends and stay in a little trailer. The plan was to build a home against the mountain. The land STILL DOES NOT HAVE access to electric or water.   The homes I did see in the area had solar panels and windmills.
We flew into Phoenix and drove to the land. My sister and I had a great bit of difficulty finding it in such a remote area. I spent about 45 minutes with a local real estate guy staring at some maps before we had an idea where to look. When we figured out the general area he said to me "You know a long time ago there was a character of a woman who lived up in those parts, she would hitch hike down to town".    I smiled and said, Yes Sir that was my Grandma. I can't imagine hitch hiking in my late 70s but HEY it was the way She rolled.
Having known my Grandma and her granola ways it did not surprise me to find old issues of Mother Earth news and Jars of dried beans still in her little run down trailer. My Grandma was a vegetarian way before Whole foods was ever thought of. She loved the land and had such a dream for building her own home there.
My sister and I found a beautiful place. I really enjoyed the property. My Grandmother's ashes are there. While I did not see her vision like she did for the land I felt her and that was awesome. I hiked up and walked the same paths she did. I picked up piles of rock she had stacked for projects I can only assume. I stared out at the horizon and wondered how often she had gone up to the top of the very same hill to think about "LIFE".
A few months ago my Mom had commented that she was sorry she never saved any pottery that my Grandmother had made. My mother is an Artisan Potter and so was my Grandmother. As I approached my Grandma's little trailer what did I see? I found a small pottery pot my Grandma had made. I stared in disbelief that it was not broken. I wrapped it up and took it to my Mom in Florida.
Here are a few pics of our vacation to Arizona

This entry is huge. I wanted to talk about my garden and my new hobby. I guess I will do that tomorrow if I get a chance.

Matthew's first real snow!

GARDENGURL — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:41:00 GMT

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.

that is broccoli under that snow. Tomorrow is probably soup making day.....

You know that ole saying "madder then a wet hen" they are wet. I threw them some corn. For those of you that keep chickens, giving them corn helps keep them warm and makes their yolks nice and yellow.

That large looking angel is mine and the little one is his

Keep warm my friends!

Rainy day Patriotism

GARDENGURL — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:50:00 GMT

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

The Netherlands New Year and some Sourdough insanity.

GARDENGURL — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:47:00 GMT

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!

Aunt Rena

GARDENGURL — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:18:00 GMT

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!

WHEWWWWW December...

GARDENGURL — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:37:00 GMT

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).

We did enjoy the parks at DisneyWorld. Matthew and Abby love going to this free area in Epcott where they have soft drinks from around the world. Matthew in particular liked the Watermelon tasting drink from China. Look at the expression on his face!

On a rainy day we met up with my Mom and her Husband Jerry. I had this great idea to check out the ice sculptures at this hotel called the Gaylord palms. Ice slides! Ice Sculptures! Hot Chocolate! Parkas! How fun can that be??? uhhhhhh let me tell you COLD does not cover the depth of freezing ass temps we endured. I was like all excited---- bragging to my kids how we would slide TOGETHER how we would see some Artistic Sculptures. The show is INCREDIBLE. The ice is carved by Chinese Artists.

I started out all peppy and excited... we went from room to room. It got colder and colder. Not only was it cold they had it circulating around you.

It was 9 degrees. It does not sound bad but when you are wearing a damp parka and your kids look like Ice cubes themselves...well I started to think about bulldozing a bunch of fat tourists trying to get to the darn slide so we could get the freezing hell out of there. Room to room we moved... like Penguins to the water, shuffling along in anticipation of the DAG GUM ICE SLIDE. At some point my Mom EXITED to warmer air. I kept thinking this is Hell. FINALLY we arrived to the much anticpated uhhhh waaaaaa?? THAT is the ICE SLIDE we just traded our money and the ice walk of death for? It looked like a frozen version of the cheap playground slides you can buy at Walmart. I quickly became hypothermic crazy Mom. I was like CLEAR THE FRICKIN way my kids are going down and we are getting the heck out of here. My kids were like Mommy aren't you going down the slide? Heck NO!!! Matthew pauses at the top of the slide... I start doing the pyscho MOM yell GO DOWN THE slide honey... slide down... louder and louder then finally MATTHEW RYAN ABERNATHY if you don't slide down that slide RIGHT NOW, I AM COMING UP THERE!!!! There he went puter, puter, puter at the speed of say.... ice melting maybe. His fanny moved down that darn slide like molasses on a cold winter day! I grabbed him by the hand almost knocking down some fat lady and got the heck out of that place. Did I mention how beautiful the ice sculptures were?
Not only did the kids have a great December ending in the Birthday of Jesus, so did our lovely orphan cat Olive. She is a MESS. She took to sleeping in the tree during her terrorist downtimes. She is the wildest, craziest cat we have ever known. Here are a few shots of her I barely got because she is constantly moving and into trouble.

And FINALLY my non furry children on Christmas Morning. See you on the other side of 2010! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Holiday Traditions NEW and OLD

GARDENGURL — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:39:00 GMT

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!

Our NEW tradition is going to be the Fantasy in Lights at Calloway Gardens. They have a 7 mile walk for the March of Dimes. You walk and get to see/hear the Holiday lights and Music. It is OUTSTANDING. The night air mixed with family is incredible. I love the nature themed lights. Here is some pics. I need a lesson in taking pictures at night but here is a sample of some of the ones I really liked.

Did I mention it rained? Here is Abby and her brother John David.

Change

GARDENGURL — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:42:00 GMT

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.

Westville

GARDENGURL — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:18:00 GMT

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!

Halloween 2009 Orlando

GARDENGURL — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:23:00 GMT

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!

Progress....

GARDENGURL — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:24:00 GMT

Wow... a picture says a thousand words. Look in the first picture. Matthew's feet are not even touching the ground. I am sure the time of year is about the same. Here is the story behind the second picture. The title of the blog entry is progress. Well as most of you know I am always saying that my kids seem to lean more toward the Daddy side of the family and not the Mommy's. They are evolving I tell you---- and I am so proud of both of them. I would be fine and happy how God made them but I am thrilled they are changing to loving the great OUTDOORS more and more!
Let me give you the background. Abby had mentioned that there was a HUGE dead fish near the boat dock. I told her if she could snag it we would feed it to the chickens. I kinda laughed that off but she grabbed her pole that was on the dock and I went back to the house. I started doing laundry and Matthew runs in yelling, "Abby caught a fish, Abby caught a fish"! I was like EWWWWW no way. I ran up to the kitchen and got some gloves and followed Matthew down to the dock. There standing like the DYNAMIC DUO was Matthew and Abby with a little TINY Bream. It was alive and on the hook. I looked at her and then him.
I need to explain something to those that do not know my kids. ---- they do not ever touch things normally that are muddy, slimy, part of insect Kingdom, cold blooded or germy for that matter.
I stood there mouth wide open wondering how that happened. It had only been a matter of minutes since I left them both.
Here is the conversation.
Me- ABBY! Where did the fish come from?
A- I caught it.
Me- Huh? With what? Did that line have bait left on it?
A- No. I caught it with a worm.
Me- huhhh A worm? A dried worm?
Me- where did you get a worm?
A- Matthew (she points to him because he is standing beside her) He puffs out his chest and points to himself.
Me- (somewhat perpelexed) Matthew??? Well where did you get the worm?
M- Your garden.
Me- YOU DUG A WORM out of the garden (laughing)
he nods and I take the fish off the hook.
She untangled the fishing line, got a worm, BAITED THE HOOK and then caught a fish!!!!
Yippppppeeee
Progress I tell you all, progress!

Gluten -free Buckwheat Pancakes and Buckwheat Cheddar Flatbread

GARDENGURL — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:30:00 GMT

I normally do not post many recipes but this was a must TRY for those of you who dont eat wheat and maybe those that do. Buckwheat is not really a grain but considered a fruit. It is actually very healthy and has been found to lower blood sugar and help with hypertension. I buy my grains and buckwheat in bulk and grind them myself. I was worried I would not be able to use up 6 gallons of buckwheat, but I worry no more
Buttermilk buckwheat pancakes. I double this for a family of 5.
1 cup buckwheat flour
1.5 Tbsp Sugar (I use vanilla sugar that I make) If using regular sugar add 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract
1 tsp of baking powder
1/2 baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk (or you can use 4 Tbls DRY buttermilk and one cup water)
2 Tbls olive oil (vegetable oil)
I spray the pan with olive oil spray between pancakes. Make sure you wait until you see the bubbles come up on the pancake and then flip.... YUMMMMY

Tonight I was in a huge rush to get my chili going and had it on my mind that I should change up the recipe and make a buckwheat flat bread.... I did and guess what??? it was delish!!!
I was in such a hurry I forgot to add an egg. It did not seem to matter and had no problem binding.
Measurements are not exact but it will be fine as long as you use the general idea.
2 cups buckwheat flour
1/5 tsp of kosher salt (more or less)
2 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of baking soda
1 teaspoon of ONION POWDER not salt more or less....
3/4 cup sharp cheddar (more or less)
2 cups buttermilk or (2 cups water and 8 TBLS of dry Buttermilk)
Stir and make into flat bread pancakes. I can see eating this for a sandwich wrap. Chives would of also been tasty and pretty.
I suppose you could add and egg if you were wanting a stronger bread. I will have to work with the recipe and see.
ENJOY!

Birthday EVE ponderings and gifts.

GARDENGURL — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:35:00 GMT

Is there such a thing as Birthday eve? Can I stretch this self indulgent holiday any further? HMMMM??? Well I DID get some very cool and tasty gifts before the big event....
Ellen made me some delish homemade truffles
Ellen's Eldest made me a duct tape wallet- TAKE THAT DOONEY AND BURKE. I am so going to use it ! will be so proud to whip out that bright yellow wallet and make my purchases. I think that in some odd twist of fate that I was being robbed I could use it to blind the robber I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I love homemade gifts!

Ellen's youngest gave me this lovely card. That is me with the red hair (duh) and that brown thing is MY GARDEN of coarse. The small brown object is my wheelbarrow for sure. If you are really clever you will see that he added a guitar shaped cloud at the top because he is a boy who loves guitars!

Ellen's middle child made me this butterfly pin thingy. It is a very neat thinga ma bob jigger thing. I am very happy to have it because it makes me feel young and I will use it to..... well you know... umm you know I will use it ... tomorrow.

THANK YOU SWEET little people!
My Mom being the artist that she is made me this bowl. She knows I am a woman of function. Give me a bowl and I will bake bread in it I say. Nothing collects dust here. It has use or well it does not live here I can collect garden veggies, bake or maybe even put Halloween candy in it. THANK YOU MOM. I love you.

Tomorrow I turn 38. WOW. 38 years on this Earth. I promise as I type this I plan on living everyday like it was my last. I promise to stop pondering and start living. I have a few dreams I have that I want to put into action. I want to say on the Birthday eve of 39 that I did just that... I lived.
Thanks for the Birthday wishes. I love you all!

Yes Matthew

GARDENGURL — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:47:00 GMT

Conversation between Matthew and myself over breakfast at camp... (last week)

Matthew: Mom is there really a toothfairy?
Me: (chewing and thinking what to say)
Matthew: more persistant - Mom are you the toothfairy?
Me: (thinking still)
Matthew MOM!!!???
Me: Matthew let me finish chewing and then I can talk.... (gives me time to think)
Matthew: Well?
Me: Yes, I am... thinking darn it, if i lie he will never believe me about other stuff.
Matthew: (shocked) YOU ARE?? You put that cool lego set under my pillow?
Me: (thinking darn it my bubble has burst) YES Matthew I did that.
Matthew: YOU ARE THE TOOTHFAIRY FOR EVERYONE? (very shocked and excited)
Me: SHHHHHHHh be quiet Matthew. No not for everyone, just for you
Matthew: Does Abby know?
Me: I think so Matthew.
Matthew: Can I tell her?
Me: I guess so.
Matthew (yells across the table) Abby did you know Mom was the toothfairy?
Abby: (turns red) SSHHHHHHH she tells him, and nods.

What a silly boy he is! Today he lost another tooth and before bed he came in and said, "Do you want the tooth under my pillow or on the nightstand, what would be easier for you?"
LOL

Burton 4H Homeschool Camp

GARDENGURL — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:09:00 GMT

My expectations really were not high, but I must confess Burton 4H did a fantastic job teaching some Biology! I figured Abby would be all in it and Matthew would be just along for the ride. I was so wrong! The instructors did an outstanding job keeping his attention and fed him some really good info. Matthew called the teachers our tour guides.
It was like real camp. We had a Dorm room with bunkbeds. I was so happy we had the dorm to ourselves because all the kids wanted top bunks (me included). I was like I got the top bunk OHHHH YA>>>>> but then getting up in the middle of the night to potty, that bunk was a long way down to the floor. We had kitchen duty, campfire songs, Marsh ecology, beach classes, shark teeth, turtle nests, Crabs and critters... oh and lots of crabs! The squid dissection went really well with Abby and Matthew BOTH participating. In the end they punctured the ink sack and wrote their name on the plate with the squid ink. THEY LOVED IT. I was happy to hear that they recycle the squid back to the animals that they have on site. Speaking of RECYCLE they had compost duty and recycle bins everywhere.
They will offer another set of classes in Feb if any of you home schoolers are interested let me know.
Here is a few pics... And on the way home we stopped at the docks where the shrimp boats came in and got 5lbs of fresh shrimp to take home to Columbus---- YUMMMY

Back to School

GARDENGURL — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:15:00 GMT

Our school runs year round. What?? I can hear you all moaning along with the children, but it is not like that. It is because we take off whenever we want to chase the rabbits so to speak. For example next week we are going to Tybee island to study about the local habitat and to dissect squid. I am sure it will so horrible to have to spend the afternoons playing on the beach (wink). It is such a joy to be able to school the kids hands on. This week we did a study on plant tissues and plant reproduction in Biology. Class moved to the garden. I know schooling at home is not for everyone. It does work for us!
Abby looking at some celery we had under the microscope.

Watermelon female and male blossoms.

Matthew is not bothered in the slightest by girl boots.

I wanted them to be able to pick up any flower and name its parts....

So a guy walks into a grocery store....

GARDENGURL — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:10:00 GMT

I have mentioned I attract weird people...LOL
SO .... tonight I go to the local upscale grocery store near my house. It is called publix for all you folk out west. I go to the wine section to get some white wine for Chicken Saltimboca. I am chatting it up on the phone when out of the corner of my eye I can see this guy pointing to his HUGE jug of Sangria. I am thinking DON"T make eye contact. TOOOO late. I get off the phone and in less then 15 seconds I got this whole life story. It appears that this young guy has been hitting the wine already. BUT WAIT I have yet to tell you the punch line. I learned that he is a soldier, that he drives a harley, that his wife just left him, that he comes from a rich family, he is in the Navy and he is leaving for Somalia. I am trying to be kind after all he IS a soldier. I am sad his wife has left him (could ya blame her)? The whole aisle is filled with women who are witnessing the whole thing unfold like a train wreck. Some feel obviously sorry for me and some are annoyed (rich southern types). I myself am cornered by the big Soldier who WAIT for it.........................
He OPENS up the bottle of wine RIGHT THERE an INSISTS I try it.
I am so shocked I can only think what kind of invisible sign am I wearing to deserve this? I can see one woman on one side of the red wine section giggling. I can see another in the white grab her wine and dash.. people at the end of the aisle are peeking in to see what is going on with the loud Harley riding drunk soldier guy. He INSISTS over and OVER TRY IT >>> TRY IT. I start to squirm, I wonder what the law is? I ponder what my husband who is a local quiet physician would think of his wife drinking out of a bottle in the middle of our LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD grocery store. I start feeling sorry for the guy.. seconds tick by like minutes it seems.
The woman laughing who happens to be looking at reds.. says to me " I am looking away"
I look left
I look right
I grab the bottle and drink a good drink. I hand it back very quickly and I almost run with my cart to the meat section.
I breathe a sigh of relief. Harley guy is gone to purchase his wine.
THEN HE COMES BACk.
He says he is sorry. Ok great ok bye bye mister harley drunk guy. HAVE a nice day.... OY!!! I am a weirdo magnet.