Friday, October 7, 2011

What Have We Been Up To?

Loosing teeth... The tooth fairy keeps forgetting to visit. The kids understand that she is forgetful about teeth but always makes it up to them by increasing the compensation to make up for her neglect. In fact, Ellie was overheard counseling Isaac that if he did not remind mother, he'd make out better financially. What a racket!

We studied the bubonic plague this week. Ellie particularly enjoyed playing the part of a rat with fleas.

I have been doing a little knitting for some sweet new babies...

My garden went in rather late this year but we managed to haul in a whole bunch of tomatoes before the first frost. They have been busy ripening, spread out in the basement.

 Some major canning going on. This is the spaghetti sauce on the wood stove. That has gone beautifully, but I am wishing I was done at this point... 34 quarts done, 14 left to go. Then there will be some stewed tomatoes to can and a bunch of pumpkin. Most of the pumpkins (And we have dozens!) will store in the basement for most of the winter, but it will be handy to have some already cooked and canned. I suspect Tom may be expecting some pumpkin treats...  If any friends nearby want some pumpkins, even LOTS of pumpkins, stop by and get some! ...please....

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Settled In

We finished the installation of our wood cookstove and I cooked my first meal on it this winter. I browned pork steaks on the stovetop and finished them in the oven along with potatoes and carrots using a dutch oven. It was easy and went very well. I am not convinced bread will be so easy, but it helps that the oven has a thermometer so I don't have to go by "feel". We're very pleased with our new stove.

Leaving our dining room and going into Mom's apartment we pass through a short hall. There is a large closet on the left that holds some pantry items and school books and supplies. This area used to be a bedroom.

Here's Mom's living area. She's all moved in. We have not completed some details like shades and her divider curtain, but it's already quite comfortable and I think it feels like home.

Here is the view looking back towards our part of the house. She has her entry and kitchenette here. I think it's working out very well. It's a lovely, comfortable space.

Here's Mom in her usual spot saying "Hi". I am so happy how this all worked out. I am very glad that Mom has a home with us. What a good thing it is.

Mom's dog Dazzle is also very content. She has Joey to keep her sociable and the kids to keep her hoppin'.

I thought you might enjoying seeing how things turned out.