Sunday Evening

Daddy, Benjamin (aka The Wedge) and I enjoying popcorn and a movie.

Rainbow

We had a two minute rainfall this afternoon. The gray skies and wind were a welcome reminder that spring has sprung. The girls spotted this rainbow after dinner so I ran out to get a picture. Ahh, promises. 

In Which There Are Sails and Laundry and Grilled Salmon

Levi built this sail for the canoe because for a couple of weeks every spring there is enough standing water next to our yard to float a canoe.

The first load of wash was hung on the line on Wednesday. It took all day and I had to move a few items around to get sun exposure. One pair of jeans did not get completely dry but they finished drying over a chair inside overnight.

Spring, an Alaskan's season of bliss! 

Salmon on the grill for dinner, yes please!

Tuesday, Conference, Walking

Part of my day yesterday in video

In which I post a video and go to a Conference

I made a quick video on the way to the conference this morning. Here ya go, now I am  coming to ya via video too. 

This morning I was up and out early for the curriculum fair, I prefer conference. The big home school program in Alaska puts this shindig on and I try to attend every year to hear the speakers and get a good ole shot in the arm of keep it up and you can do this. It helps, it really helps. And, I get to visit with friends in between workshop sessions.

Nicely labeled picture.

Notes

Debra Bell was the keynote speaker. I enjoyed her sessions today. 

Benjamin had a backpack with toys to occupy himself during sessions. He also stood in line for forty-five minutes for a balloon sword. 

The boys have opted out of going back for day two and that is probably a good thing as Benjamin is starting a spring cold or allergies. Poor Buddy has that wraspy voice, sneezing and the cough is starting. 

My lunch is packed and I am ready to go back for day two with my girls.

Resurrection Sunday

On our way to church this morning. Levi was driving so I was in the back with Judith, Elisabeth and Benjamin.

I snapped a picture of the bulletin, one of my favorite verses.

I grabbed a quick group photo of the kids before lunch.

The little kids table

The big kids table

 

Such a fabulous day. Church and a deeper emphasis on the Resurrection of Christ. A house full of friends and family for lunch equals much fun had by all. We returned to church in the evening for an evening sermon from II Kings 5,  Namaan the leper and the prophet, Elisha and ending up in Acts

 

Life During Breakup

This is what I walked out to find this morning. Breakup, not for the faint of heart.

The same area after getting the mud encrusted boots outside, vacuuming and mopping and buying a new rug.

A Break Through

I have been walking on the treadmill, besides my month or so of skiing before breakup, but I could not seem to ever walk any faster than when I started. Until today. Today I was able to step up my speed two tenths from what I have been walking. I needed that little break through today. I cannot tell any difference with numbers yet but I shall keep going because I can tell that I am getting stronger and building endurance.

Rooftop Viewing

Here are Levi and Elisabeth on the roof for a better view of the lunar eclipse/blood moon. 

My only pic of the beginning of the eclipse. 

We had a blast outside last night while watching. 

Youngest

Benjamin has had quite the winter. He has been riding the snow machine on his own now for a month. Saturday I get this picture sent to me while Dad had the crew out on the machines. Benjamin's face is no longer a baby face, he is growing up just as quickly as the other three did.

I am learning that Benjamin's love language is time spent with him doing something. I have been purposeful the past couple of weeks to make time for just he and I to do things and I have beefed up his "school" time. And boy, oh boy, that little guy has been so different with me since I began being purposeful. He sits with me, opens doors, helps me out of the van, holds my hand into church, hugs on me and just lovin'on Mom, which has not been his way for some time since he has been of preschool, independent age.

Weekend Goings on

The weekend here begins on Thursday night, we played Pictionary and Apples to Apples.

 

Elisabeth waiting on everyone to gather around.

                                                        Judith made her way to the game.

                                I played around with the panoramic setting on my phone. I captured everyone  

                                             but Benjamin, the blur didn't make it into the shot.

       My sweetheart and I taking what we call an usie, since there is more than one self in the picture.

                                             Judith waiting for something during the game.

                        Friday consisted of a morning of school and then swim practice                                           and  then off to a camp fundraiser dinner/auction.

                         Saturday, Daddy took the kids snowmachine riding and target shooting while I stayed home in complete silence and baked bread and did a little cleaning. 

Elisabeth made these pint sized chocolate meringue pies when she returned home from the day out and Judith made egg rolls, which we did not photograph for some reason. Oh, yeah, we were eating them too quickly.

Sunday: Church, baseball assessments for Elisabeth, lunch at home with friends, back to church, home for popcorn and bedtime.

Monday afternoon with my Sweetheart Buddy. I love five!

Benjamin and I had a tough time staying inside this afternoon, he found a ball that had spent the winter under the snow. We walked the dog and talked and walked some more. 

 

The Queen passed on the Liebster Award  and I failed to acknowledge right away and then I forgot. Thank you and here are my answers.

1- If you were a food, what would you be?                

                        Cake

2- What breed of dog do you love most, if at all?  

                        Labrador Retrievers, Chocolate especially

3- When pressed, what is your go-to meal?    

                        Pizza

4- What was the last book you read?     

                      The Biography of George Washington Carver

5- Have you ever "put a sock" on your dominant 

hand and tried to live a day using only your non dominant hand? 

                       No, I have not.

6- If you could take a dream vacation, here would it be? 

                       England

7- What is your favorite tv show? 

                       I honestly do not have one right now.                             

8- What do you think of eating Moose!?

                       I think it is the only red meat!

9- Have you ever been to Disneyworld?

                       Yes!! Four times

10- Who is your favorite cartoon character?

                       Hmm...Fog Horn Leg Horn

11- Coffee or Tea?

                       Tea, sweet tea

 

 

Potato Soup

Tonight I am making potato soup for dinner. Potato soup is my sick food. It hasn't always been.

Back in my college days, I had seasonal allergies something horrible, I think I am allergic to Kentucky from February through May or June. Anyway, I lived on Wendy's French fries and soda when the sickies got too bad. Every once and a while I would mix it up and order a baked potato. So, the starchy potato has always been my go to sick comfort meal. Now I just do the potato soup thing because, well, what's not to love?

Today's potato soup contains homemade chicken stock, onions and celery and a little milk, salt and pepper. And even though I had to sit down and stir after the chopping I am thrilled to have the energy to make soup today. Yesterday I was immobile on the couch all.day.long.

Now Daddy stayed home with tummy troubles today but he doesn't seem as bad as the rest of us were. He is sick for sure though. He has napped and otherwise sat around except for one trip outside with the dog.

Our Weekend

Benjamin Saturday morning

Benjamin Saturday late afternoon. 

Yep, the evil stomach virus has descended upon our home. Levi fell ill Friday morning but didn't seem as bad as the rest of us. Four out of the six of us fell ill with this.

Elisabeth and I seem to be the worse effected with Benjamin a close third. I never want to eat again was my mantra at 1 am Saturday night. Today I have had a piece of bread and a few sips of ginger ale. 

I watched Alfred Hitchcock's Charade with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. I forgot how much I liked that movie. 

Missing my little class at church and we were supposed to have a family over for lunch. Oh well, at least my family has dinner in the fridge for later for whoever wants to eat. 

Online

A while back a film crew filmed our family for a video for our home school program. I am testing this link to see if you can watch.

Mid-Week

This is testing week. I left the dishes from breakfast in the sink and was off on my carpool duty for testing, then to the grocery store

with a smoothie to go, we are not used to leaving home in the morning.

A quick selfie with too much light but here I am. 

Benjamin and I out and about alone.

When we arrived home I began cleaning the couch, I found all these pens and pencils, paint brushes and a plastic candy cane from the Christmas tree. 

Levi helped reattach the couch stuff under the cushions that came loose due to gymnastics done on the couch.