On My Mind

I have so much going through my mind. I recently came across a blog with a subtitle something like intentional, professional motherhood. Those two adjectives really hit me like a ton of bricks. I have not been intentional or professional about my job here at home on the last frontier. I have been haphazard and unprofessional, in fact, I would have gotten fired if this were a paying job with a boss that isn't an unconditionally loving husband.

Today was my first day back as an intentional, professional Momma, and I failed, but I kept going. Yes, I started today. Living intentionally isn't a New Year's resolution, but a necessity and necessity calls for immediate action.

And I even began a new knitting project today. A Gap-tastic cowl, for me.

The menu

I have not made a full weekly menu in a few weeks. Finally, I spent some time planning today.

I am just listing dinners because, well, I don't want to type it all out.

Starting Sunday:

Sunday: Roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, rolls and brownies
Monday:Vegetable moose soup, cornbread
Tuesday: At church
Wednesday: Halibut, baked potatoes, salad
Thursday: salmon, rice, veggies
Friday: pizza
Saturday: burgers and baked fries

A Start

I an effort to be better organized I revamped kitchen central. New, big calendar, pads for list makongy, weekly menus and our 2013 calendar, which is on its way out.

The Downhill Slide

It may be forty-five degrees below today BUT we are now gaining daylight!!  Perspective people, perspective.

Today, the Day After Christmas

Today we relax. I'm guessing we will watch movies, keep the fire fed and enjoy the nothingness of the day...

...because when it is this cold I am thankful for a no where to go, nothing to do kind of day. 

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night

For years I have been trying to find the best Christmas morning breakfast. Last year I made an egg bake and cinnamon rolls. This year I bought cereal, yep, I did. I stopped buying cereal about six months ago and have only picked up an occasional box in that time. I decided to go the easy route. It isn't so much the food they need but they do need a present Mom. And I am probably the only one who really even thought about what we would have for breakfast.
Merry Christmas!!

Thursday

Ahh, I finally bought a new blender and I am back in business with smoothies.

Driver in training.

We found Peanuts comic strip books at the library, Judith read and laughed all afternoon.

Christmas Caroling at The Pioneer Home

We joined a group of home school familes for Christmas caroling at The Pioneer Home. Benjamin brought his birthday Woody along for the event. He wasn't interested in caroling, but just came to dance. He got stage fright and just swayed and performed minimal footwork. 

Waiting and catching up with a friend.

To be a resident at the Pioneer Home one has to have reached pioneer status as an Alaskan resident. I am not sure but I think that is thirty years.

Singing girls

Here is a parka that belonged to a Pioneer named Sam White. My husband read a book about him last year, he lived one adventurous life.

After caroling we went to a friend's church for hot cocoa and cookies and fellowship.

Then we made a quick trip for groceries and then home because the temperature was -35 degrees on Monday.

Five

Our Benjamin turned five today. I cannot believe that he is five.

Here he is back in September. Our Benjamin is full of life, animated, hilarious and just precious.

Blowing out the candles.

Around the web

Reading Ann this morning

"What We Need to Really Breathe" http://feedly.com/k/1kztg8l

The story of my life

I made lasagna for Sunday lunch tomorrow. The recipe called for one pound of sliced mozzarella cheese. My store did not have presliced mozzarella so I bought a block and slice myself. I was this much short on my cutting, thankfully I had shredded mozzarella. This will be one cheesy lasagna. 

Saturday

Early morning rising for Judith's first swim meet. Breakfast made by Daddy.

Backstroke, Judith in lane 6

Winter sky

Sun low on horizon

Madhatter birthday party

Beautiful decor and food and fellowship with new friends.

Long day

Tired 

Good night!

Wednesday

Judith worked on putting stickers on our Christmas card envelopes, you know address

labels and stamps. Four year old perspective is precious.

Benjamin posing with the new bedding I ordered with my birthday money. Ahh, I am so cozy in new comforter coziness.

Benjamin made a Benmobile today.

A not so clear picture of our new bird feeder with a dining woodpecker.

Window watchers

,

I picked up these new needles for my interchangeable needle and cable set. Love knitting with wooden needles. Pool time=knitting time.

He loves me

A couple of years ago I learned I could make stock from moose bones. Since then we have been working on remembering to cut them up and place them in the freezer to make stock. We are finall getting this procedure added into the moose processing process.

Monday, in which we attempt to get back to school

My wonderful husband sent this sunrise picture to me this morning. Beautiful!

And this is about as high as the sun gets, but we are almost to winter solstice, we will gain again soon!

The girls played in a Christmas recital at the local long term care center today.

Levi leaned in for a picture with me, I will take it.

Sunrise/sunset data for today

Dog Team Crossing

Do you drive past a sign like this on a regular basis? I do.

Scenes from Thanksgiving

While I dried my hair this morning, Benjamin watched football, quite intently.

I used the last of the onions from the garden today, thankful to have onions from the garden

for this long.

Sage we grew and dried. 

Pie, we had lots of pie.

Benjamin helping with set up.

Around the house

I could not finish my pie sampler plate. Look out treadmill, here I come, tomorrow. Good night all.