No Monday Pictures?

I cannot believe I have no Monday pictures. I did do a little video to put up but that requires some work on putting the video together and on YouTube, so maybe tomorrow.

There is one picture from Sunday, Benjamin is playing with a bear skull. Yes, you read that correctly, a bear skull. He drove his car in between the jaw bones kind of like a garage. He really does not know that most five year olds have never seen a bear let alone a bear skull. Normal every day stuff for him.

State testing begins tomorrow for the older three so we have a break from our normal studies and then we will be in the home stretch of school work. One more unit and we will be finished with all subjects but math. Each Blessing has a different math program so their finishing times will stagger along until they complete their current program.

I see summer break on the horizon.

Ending of the Week

Friday evening I stayed around at the pool since it was picture day and I had no clue how that would go. I knitted and worked on creating a bullet journal. Google it if it interests you, I am a pen and paper, list maker. I look forward to sharing more as I go along. I plan on finding a different, smaller journal but I am just using what I have for the time being.

Saturday mornings are usually slow and include a BIG breakfast. Here is the biscuit dough beginning, before the hands got dirty.

Saturday also included cutting and stacking all this wood for next winter. Daddy and the Blessings worked many hours on this big job. I worked an hour and a half with them, then I returned back inside for dinner prep, bread making, Sunday lunch prep and kitchen cleaning up. 

I made barbecue sauce, moose roast for pulled moose, potato salad, cole slaw and homemade buns. 

Now to get a quick shower before everyone comes in to get ready for church in the morning. They are all out enjoying playing after a hard day of work. Thankful for longer days and the willow trees are beginning to bloom. Spring time is a comin'!

Best Field Trip

We went to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. This center is home to about five different groups in our community and is home to our visitor center. 

We visited with Dixie, a Native Alaskan, who is an artist. She put together a feast for the families: salmon spread (from smoked,canned salmon), moose soup, fry bread and cake. The kids helped make the spread and the soup. 

She told us about Native fish camps, local places where she has helped decorate with Native art. We got a behind the scenes look at where she works. And we got stories. I love the stories.

Wednesday

The only picture from Wednesday is of George and his goggles. Obviously, I did not take this picture.

Wednesday was a meh kind of day for me. School, lunch and a nap, dinner and then church and finally to bed. Some days are just those kind of days.

But then when the day has been meh and you go to bed and find this hidden in your bed, well, the day seems okay and a smile comes and then tears. I am so thankful for the lifestyle I am blessed to live. 

Wood Butter "Recipe"

Someone asked about how to make wood butter so I will share the link to the website where I found the "recipe".

Tuesday

My shadow while I was out cross country skiing today, funny how you miss things like shadows in the winter months.

Emmy joined me outside today.

Sorting after playing with pattern blocks and cars.

Benjamin is tracing from a Peanuts comic album. He has watched his sisters do this. 

Planning for next school year. This year is in get it finished mode. On to next year!

Mom's Night Out

Spring time in Alaska, long days of sunlight. We now have twelve hours of daylight each day.

Monday night was Mon's Night Out (MNO), we 

made mozzarella cheese! 

I missed my blogging time as I usually blog after reading to Benjamin and before he falls asleep. 

The cheese, we haven't eaten it yet but I think we will have pizza for lunch tomorrow. 

Monday Morning

A good read for a Momma on a Monday morning. To read the entire post, click or tap the quote.

Time, love and grace.....

"The best use if time is to freely love.
  The best way to love is to spend time. "
                                    --Ann Voscamp

Wood Butter

No, not for your toast but for your wooden utensils. 

I made wood butter and my utensils are happy now. Well, as happy as utensils can be. 

From L to R: 

Mr. Measure(used daily), Hoss, Holey, Spatula,  Long Spoon and Mr. Pull a rack

Before

After

Friday Morning

My shadow this morning while skiing. 

Thursday

The only picture for today is of me. We were out and about all day: piano, grocery shopping, and a meeting for the oldest three.
Days like today make me thankful for the crockpot and leftovers. We had a chicken in the crockpot and planned leftover mashed potatoes, throw in a vegetable for a second side and we had dinner when we got home.

Now, onto mascara....

I need to find mascara that will not create black smudges under my eyes. I bought a new brand today that says smudge proof on the package, we shall see. 

This smudgingis not a new problem for me. I do believe it has been my lot in life for many a year. I do believe back to high school. Well, I am now determined to find something that works. I have tried waterproof but that does not work. I am now on a quest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Wednesday

Benjamin has daily questions he asks each morning to determine what day of the week it is and what he will be eating for breakfast. This morning, he asked his daily question then he said, "I think I need a kiss." Not the norm from our little guy. So, I kissed him and made sure he didn't have a fever because he is stuffy, which was what he informed me of after he asked for a kiss.

Waffles, the answer to the question, "What's for breakfast?" Well, the kids had waffles, I had a smoothie with chia seeds. Every time I pour the seeds in I say, "ch-ch-cha-chia" in my head. Growing up with a constant stream of television does not do a mind good.

In other news, snow is falling today. Believe it or not, I still find falling snow beautiful even after twenty years of Alaskan winters. Speaking of winter, this winter has been amazingly mild and a great respite from a normal Alaskan winter.

Sledding was fun for the crew and a few more today. I skiied while they were sledding so that worked out well.

Today was the coldest ski yet since there was snow, wind, and clouds. I missed the sunny ski weather I have been experiencing, usually I get so warm I have to take n gloves off. Not today. Temperatures were still mild it just wasn't sunny today. 

Tuesday's Tidbits

A course completed. I am so thankful that Kendra was willing and even happy to teach this class to my girls and hers. They are finished!!!! Today was party day!

The diet coke and mento explosions.

And food, there was food, of course. Pulled pork, Cole slaw and chocolate cake. 

And, I got a hair cut. I had fallen into a stagnant place with my stylist. We broke through today. 

Monday

It is finally time for Benjamin to try out riding the little snow machine. Daddy took him over to the pond so he had a wide open space to give it a try. 

Benjamin did great! 

The little machines have a safety thing that attaches to the rider and shuts the machine off if pulled out, say in case the rider falls off. 

My super smart husband hooked a rope to that safety thing and he held on in case he needed to shut the machine off for safety reasons. Great idea! 

Weekend

The last swim meet of the season! Swimming still happens but no more meets for us until next fall. Judith established two new swim times and lowered her time in one event by sixteen seconds!!!!

Benjamin playing in Sunday School.

Benjamin took this pic of me after Sunday's lunch. Silly Momma moments.

What a Wonderful Day

Levi built this ramp for the little boys at piano today. 

After piano we stopped at the library, when we returned home we saw our neighborhood moose were back. The calf in the road and Mama in the trees.

My guys 

I took this pick to send to my husband, I have wide feet, like I think the cartoonist used my feet as a model for Fred Flintstone wide. My right foot is slightly larger than the left. I have been struggling with foot comfort since I have been skiing. I finally started leaving the right boot unzipped, that helped a little. 

Levi and Judith joined me on tonight's ski. Yes, it was so warm today that winter gear was not needed. 

Levi pointed out the moose hair on the trail. This is where they were standing in the earlier photo.

After skiing I took a ride all by my lonesome. I am usually a passenger so this was a rare moment. I forgot how great it feels to ride. 

I also got to measure how far I am skiiing.

A Hope of Spring

The snow is slowly giving up its hold on the road. 

But still hanging on everwhere else. The sun is shining and feels oh so warm, especially inside the van with the solar gain. Ahh, love it.

A little math work with Benjamin.