Well, it has been awhile, hasn't it?  This was one of the reasons I hesitated beginning a blog in the first place.  I was afraid I would forget about it.
     So, what's happened in the last month?  Let's see, two more birthdays (mine and J's), spring came, winter came back, spring came again, winter came back.  Parent/teacher interviews, adventures in vehicle repair, new creatures.  It's been busy!
     Let's begin with J's birthday.  My firstborn turned 13 in March!  I can't believe how quickly 13 years have gone by.  I remember being around 5 or 6 and thinking about how I just couldn't wait to be 18.  Life was going to be perfect when I was 18.  And it took forever to get there.  Now?  Ten years go by so quickly.  Next year will be my 20th high school reunion.  It seems like it can't possibly have been more than 5 years ago that we had our 10th.  Ah well, it's been a good thirteen years of being a mama.  I'm proud of the young man J is turning into.  And it's been good to put those stronger muscles and longer arms to use, too.
     Now for weather.  We had such a mild winter this year.  Spring seemed to be getting an early start.  My birthday was March 11, and our church had a tobogganing party planned for that Sunday afternoon of a long weekend ( the kids had a 5 day weekend due to Teacher's convention).  But the whole week before had been 8-9 degrees above zero, so most of the snow had disappeared.  It was still a fun afternoon.  There was just enough snow to do a little bit a skidooing, the kids still managed a couple slides down the mostly grassy hill, and there was a gigantic slushy pond sized puddle to play in.  We built a fire and roasted hotdogs and had a good time visiting.
     It seemed winter might be over early, but on the second official day of spring we got our biggest snowfall of the year.  It lasted for a few days before it started to melt again.  Now there was enough snow to have water running everywhere.  There are a few spots that flood every spring, but there were a few spots flooding this year that haven't flooded for several years.  The kids were loving playing in the water flowing down our driveway.  We had several days of beautiful weather, the snow was really disappearing and the flooded areas were slowly drying up.  I was thinking it might be time to wash up the winter coats and winter boots to put away until next winter.  But guess what?  Yesterday brought a bunch more snow!  I thought about putting away the winter gear, but I've been an Alberta girl for far too long to actually think the winter could be over for good!
     On to vehicle repair fun.  So, driving on gravel roads is hard on minivan shocks.  Minivans seem to be made for suburban moms to drive kids to school and soccer on nicely paved roads.  I have four kids.  I need a minivan.  I do not live on nicely paved roads.  Hubby's changed the shocks on the van before; it's not a terribly difficult job, however this time the one back wheel was very difficult to get off and he thought he'd better take it in to get a service place to do it so he didn't strip the wheel studs.  Well, they took the entire day to decide they needed a welder to come help get the studs removed.  So, back in the next week.  Another entire day later, they were short two replacement studs.  So, back in a third time.  Now they had the studs, but would be unable to put them until the afternoon.  I was not happy.  And they knew I was not happy.  I'm even unhappier that  I can't refuse to take my vehicle back there.  Unfortunately, living in a small town, there are not many other options.  And they are also one of the few options for parts supplies.  I can however, refuse to be the one to take the van in next time.  I think hubby gets to deal with them next time.
     Now it is Easter Break.  The kids had today, and will have all of next week off school.  Easter dinner will be with the grandparents and other family, on Sunday afternoon.  Hopefully the snow will disappear again, and spring will be here for good!  And hopefully I"ll get better at this blogging business!

March 2, 2012

     The last couple weeks have been filled with a lot of little things.  Last Friday was Math Day at the school the two middle children attend.  Parents were invited to come have lunch with their kids, then while the kids had recess the parents listened to the teachers give a presentation on the new teaching methods for math.  After lunch recess there were some math related activities for kids and parents to participate in together.
      My husband and I both went to have lunch with the kids.  S and I had lunch with B, and E had lunch with his dad.  We didn't stay for the afternoon activities as hubby had to get back to work, but we stayed for the presentation.  Apparently, what I always thought of as "cheats", are now the new teaching methods.  The kids are no longer taught to add from right to left and carry the one.  They now work left to right, adding the tens and then the ones.  So, for example, 42+35 is broken down (decomposed is the terminology they learn) to 40+30, then 2+5.  That's how I've always done math in my head because it makes it simple and fast, and I've always taught the kids that way too, so it's good to see it officially endorsed now!  I really like the all the different methods they are using in the classroom now.  I think the kids are coming out of grades 1, 2 and 3 with a much bettter understanding of what numbers mean.  So that was fun.
     This week brought an opportunity to go shopping with a good friend (who is also a cousin) and a morning of visiting at a friend's home, with a group of moms.  S has been a little clingy lately, so she didn't go play with her friends.  She stayed fairly close to me, but she did play a lot with the dog, and I got to visit with some old friends and make some new ones.  It was good to get out of the house a couple times this week.
     With both the girls having a birthday in February, we've had a lot of birthday related activities this month.  A couple of weekends ago, the girls went for lunch and a movie matinee with their dad.  It was a 3D movie, so they loved that.  I guess S kept pulling her glasses down, then pushing them back up, amazed at the special effects.
     Last Tuesday was B's birthday.  When I was in growing up, one of our little family traditions was going out for lunch with dad on our birthday.  It's a tradition I loved, so I'm carrying it on with my kids.  Only  their dad has worked out of town during the week since the kids have been in school, so I get to take each of the kids out on their birthday.  It's usually been a fast food place, because the kids get to choose, and since school lunch time is so short, that works best anyhow.  This time B wanted a buffet, so we found a restaurant with a lunch buffet.  I really enjoy our birthday lunches.  We don't eat out often and I don't get much one-on-one time with each of my kids, so it really is a special time.
     Sunday was the birthday family dinner.  The grandparents, and the aunts and uncles came over for supper and birthday cake.  I think B's favourite part of the evening was her auntie's birthday gift for her - she pierced B's ears!  B's been asking to have her ears pierced for a long time now, so she was thrilled that auntie brought her ear piercing gun and studs with her birthstone.
     And the final birthday celebrations are taking place right now.  B is having a sleepover with 3 friends.  Well, two friends are sleeping over, one  went home to sleep but will rejoin the rest in the morning.  J is gone on another sleepover, so while B has her friends here, E and S get to have their own sleepover.  S is a little torn over having fun with her big brother, or trying to be in the middle of the big girls. It's tough to be a little sister!
     Well, I think I need to attempt to shush those girls again, and see if I can get some sleep!

     I could have had two baby girls born on Valentine's Day.  Miss B was due on Valentine's Day, and S was due just before.  S was born two days before the 14th, as I wrote about a week ago, and B?  Well, she came late.
B is my second baby.  She was due for Valentine's day.  My dad thought it would be nice to have a grandchild born on his birthday.  I said no, I'm not waiting a week past my due date just for you.  Ha!
I'd had a few Braxton Hick's contractions with my first pregnancy, but not very significant.  About a week before B was due I started having Braxton Hick's contractions.  Contractions would start, I'd have two or three, then nothing.  Several times I'd start to time them, get ready to tell my husband, then nothing.  My due date came and went, contractions continued to come and go, and no baby.  At my weekly check-up my doctor said he would induce me the next Monday morning, and I was resigned to wait until then.
My mother and father in-law used to have a few horses right near our yard.  The fence was not a good one, and every once in awhile the horses would step over the loose wires and walk down the driveway.  They were not hard to get back in, but I couldn't fix the fence on my own.  Thursday afternoon, February 21, 2002, the horses got out again.  I called my mother-in-law to help me put them back and fix the fence.  Contractions started again, but by this time, after 2 weeks of false starts, I was sure they would stop.  This time they did not stop, so by the time my mother-in-law came, I needed her to drive me to the hospital instead of fixing the fence.
My husband worked in town at the time, so he met us at the hospital, and four hours later, after the most difficult labour and delivery of my four (back labour, and baby born facing up), at 7:39 pm, baby number 2, girl number 1, arrived.  One day after her grandpa's birthday.  Yeah.
The hospital in town was only about 6 months old at the time.  There was a t.v. in the labour and delivery room, so we watched the Salt Lake Olympic coverage, and my baby girl was born during the women's hockey gold medal match (which Canada won!  Yay!).
     B is turning 10 today.  The teenage years are coming soon, and the emotional drama is already starting.  But I can't imagine life without her.  She is sweet, thoughtful, helpful, responsible, wonderful.  Happy birthday to my girl, I love you!

February 20, 2012

     Today was Family Day.  My husband didn't get the day off, but the kids had a long weekend.  A four day weekend, actually.  It was beautiful weather, so the kids spent a good portion of it outside.  Here's the two youngest, crawling around in the snow, making up their own imaginary game.

     Yes, those are tire tracks across the yard.  It's been a gorgeous winter, so the kids were driving the quad around the yard a couple weekends ago.
     Sometimes it seems there are very few meals that please the whole family.  So when we find one, we eat it often.  And what could be more perfect for Family Day than a soup the whole family loves?


                                   Simple Vegetable Soup

     The ingredients are very simple - veggies and instant noodles.
     With 6 of us, I usually make a large pot.  I fill it about 2/3 full of water, then add all the veggies.  Chop all the veggies into bite size pieces: about 1/2 a bunch of bok choy, 2 heads of broccoli (peel and chop the stems too),  some carrots - I usually have the baby carrots, so a handful or two, chopped up.  Add 3 or 4 flavour packets from instant ramen noodles.
     Bring the pot to a boil and cook until the veggies are softened, but not mushy.  Break up the instant noodles, and add them to the soup when the veggies are about done.  The instant noodles only need a minute or two.
     Sometimes I add some chicken - chop up chicken breast in bite size pieces, fry in the large pot, with a little bit of oil, and the soup flavouring, then add the water and veggies.
     It's also very good with shrimp - add once veggies are almost done, before adding noodles.  Unfortunately, two in this house are allergic to shrimp, so it's a very rare treat for the rest of us!
     Of course, you could also use a good chicken or veggie broth instead of the instant noodle flavour packets, but the instant noodles and flavour please kids and the simplicity pleases me.

   
   

   

February 12, 2012

     Five years ago, February 11 was a Sunday.  I was 9 months pregnant with baby number 4, and tired of pregnancy.  My due date was not until Wednesday, but I was sure that baby should be arriving before that.  Sunday night I was up late, in tears.  I was tired of being pregnant.  My husband was leaving for work early in the morning and wouldn't be home until Thursday.  I didn't want to have the baby during the week while he was gone, but I really couldn't face being pregnant for another week.  I was tired, and uncomfortable and overly emotional.  I went to bed around midnight, sure that I was going to have to be pregnant forever - maybe somewhat dramatic?  Pregnancy emotions!
     I know that God hears our prayers, and I am thankful for answered prayer.  I had cried out to Him and he heard my cry.  Just before 1 am labour started.  We got the kids out of bed, into a very cold van and dropped off with the grandparents.  Called the other grandparents too, and the sister-in-law (She was my alternative support if baby came during the week, and since she'd been prepared to come with me, she came as a second support.).
     At 2:50 am, our baby girl was here!  Baby number 4, daughter number 2.  She is so much fun!  I can't imagine our family without her.  I love her questions, her sense of humour, her silliness, her kisses and hugs, her everything.
     Happy birthday to my baby, tomorrow!

February 7, 2012

     I know it's not a great picture, but is he not the cutest little calf you've ever seen?  Last summer my mother and father-in-law bought a small herd of Dexter cattle.  Dexter cows are one of the smallest breeds of cow, averaging only about 700-800 lbs for cows as compared to around 1500 for the bigger breeds.  They are also known for their docility.   And after some of the wild cows they've had in the past, I think my mother-in-law will enjoy a calving season without fear of being run through by an overprotective momma.
     This little guy's momma is one of the older cows.  My mother-in-law has been feeding her some grain for extra nutrition, but she just doesn't have any milk for him.  So he gets to stay in the shop for a few days and will be a bottle baby.  He's tiny, even for a Dexter calf.  He's only a couple days old, but he follows her all around the yard.  I will take the kids over later this week.  I'm sure they will love giving him his bottle.  And I'm sure he will love some playmates.

Homemade Buns

     I can't remember the last time I bought bread from the grocery store.  I've bought bagels or croissants for school lunches when I've been in a pinch, but my kids won't eat store bought bread.  Bread making is often made out to be complicated and difficult.  It's not.  It does take some practice to get the feel of the dough right, but bread dough is very forgiving.
     The ingredients are simple.  The simplest are yeast, sugar, salt, vegetable oil, water and all-purpose flour.  These ingredients are flexible.  The fat can be lard, vegetable shortening, canola oil or another vegetable oil (Stick with light flavoured fats.).  I've even probably used margarine.  The liquid can be milk or water and eggs can be added or not.  The flour can be simply white flour or a combination of white and whole wheat (around % whole wheat will keep it a light and soft dough), other types of flour like rye.  I will often put rolled oats and flax seed through the food processor and add it to my bread.  Or leave it whole if you like the added texture.  My kids don't, but I do.  A couple handfuls of Red River porridge adds great texture and flavour to brown bread.  The sugar can be plain white sugar, honey, or brown sugar in a brown bread.
     Sounds simple, right?  It really is!
     The only two ingredients I measure are the water and the yeast.  I measure the water to decide how big a batch of bread I'm making.  1 cup of water for about one loaf of bread/one dozen buns.  And a 1/2 Tablespoon instant yeast for every cup of water.  I usually do 6 cups of water and 3 Tablespoons yeast.  Anything more would be a little harder to manage.
     Warm water goes in the bowl first.  The temperature needs to be nice and warm; about the temperature of a nice warm shower.  Then the oil, sugar (about 1 cup of each) and salt (about 1 Tablespoon).  Stir with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar and salt.  Add some of flour, on top of the water, then the instant yeast, and stir it in.  Keep adding flour, about one cup at a time, until it's hard to stir.  Turn the dough out onto the counter and knead.  Add flour just a little at a time until it's nice and smooth and not too sticky.  It should feel slightly sticky, without leaving any dough on your hands.  Coat the ball of dough with oil and put back in the bowl to rise.  Let it rise for about 20 minutes, then it needs to be punched down.  Take the dough out of the bowl and push the air out and refold the dough back into a nice ball.  Let it rise for another 20 minutes and then make into loaves or buns.

     I remember making buns with my mom when I was a kid.  I would watch her and wonder if I would ever be able to make buns as well as her. I think it probably wasn't until I'd left home and made buns on my own for a few years that I thought mine might be comparable. Now I get to make buns with my kids.

     They love helping to make buns.  I usually give them their own pan, and give them each a piece of dough, and they shape it however they choose.   We've had kitties and worms and aliens and other strange shapes.  But after letting the buns rise for an hour, the odd shapes sort of even out.

     Bake the buns at about 380-400 degrees F.  About 20 minutes I think, but I never use a timer.  Sorry.
Just bake them until they are a nice golden brown.  In my oven, if I'm baking two pans, I switch them around half way through the baking time.  When the top pan is getting nicely browned, I switch them so the bottom pan will get brown on it's top, and the top pan will get brown on it's bottom.  Make sense?

     I like making bread by hand, but I have friends who often use their bread maker to make the dough, then they put it in pans and bake in the oven.  I've used my Kitchenaid to mix the dough too, but the mixer can't do as big a batch of dough, and I have 4 kids to bake for and make school lunches for!
     Look at several recipes and practice.   Experiment with different ingredients for different flavours and textures.  There's nothing like freshly baked bread.  I've had a couple of flops that the loaves were so heavy they were inedible (they made the birds happy though!), but for the most part imperfect homemade bread is still far superior to store bought.