Oops! And Rambling
Oops!
It’s been a few weeks.
Sorry blog.
Really, I’ve had nothing to add and lots to do.
The weather is so beautiful where we are, and we’re enjoying spring!
This past weekend I took our girls to an alpaca farm, which was fun. There was a farm store which had alpaca wool by the large garbage bag full to the tune of $650. It is neither spun, washed, or dyed. It sure is soft, though! There was a beautifully knitted alpaca shawl that only cost $125. This was an astounding “aha!” moment for my dear oldest daughter, Lady L.
“Mom! I could NEVER make that kind of money for the scarves and things I make!”
That led to a nice discussion on the quality of goods and the time spent making a well handmade product, versus cheap quality, cheap factory made, or poorly made handmade ones. It was also a reassuring conversation for her that it is reasonable to learn skills on less expensive fibers.
“Yes, dear daughter. You *could* make a well made, beautiful, high quality product and sell it for $125.
Keep working at building your skills and trying new things.”
A-Grape and Missy E feeding the female herd of alpacas. There are babies in there too.
One super demanding female alpaca that Missy E enjoyed feeding.
The male alpacas began clustering at the gate for Lady L to feed.
This was one very docile alpaca who A-Grape really enjoyed loving on.
Note: See how these lady and gentlemen alpacas are all sheered?
The garden has been started by Thing A.
I am so thankful for his commitment to helping us with our grounds keeping and gardening.
He took his little sisters out to weed and add “Dairy Doo” and mushroom compost to our beds.
He and I will begin planting in a day or two.
Our plants were delivered on Friday.
Pretty purple petunias for the back deck.
Asparagus has been a fun staple food these past few weeks, and our family is enjoying it!
Over the winter, we began trying different vegetable dishes. We found that we like roasting cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and brussel sprouts. Now that it is spring, and asparagus is available at the farm around the corner from our house, we’ve started roasting it, too!
We take 3-4 lbs of fresh asparagus, snap off the woody ends, wash, place in a single layer on a broiling pan, sprinkle to taste with garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper. Roast at 450 til desired tenderness.
For tonight’s dinner, the only thing fresh and thawed WAS the fresh asparagus! I had no idea what we were going to eat.
Thing A found large boneless chicken breasts in our freezer. There were not enough for all of us, but enough for a skillet dinner or casserole.
Our dinner was delicious, and Dr. P asked that I make it again.
That means I have to write the recipe, so I may as well share it!
Chicken, Roasted Asparagus, Pasta Toss
Feeds 6-8
4 lbs of asparagus cut into 3-4 pieces and roasted as above
16 oz box of pasta shells cooked and drained
4 chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces and marinated in the following for an hour or two:
- Minced garlic to taste (we use the kind in the jar, and a honkin’ big serving spoon amount)
- 1 large diced onion
- 1/3 cup balsalmic vinegar
- 1/3 cup of worcestershire sauce
- 3 TBL Italian dressing mix (I used Wildtree)
4 cups of our diced tomatoes from last summer’s garden
dried basil to taste
white pepper to taste
- Marinate the chicken.
- Roast the asparagus.
- Cook the pasta and drain.
- Saute the onion/chicken and marinade until cooked through.
- Add the tomatoes and heat through. Add basil to taste. I used dried and about 3 TBL.
- Toss chicken mixture with the pasta and asparagus.
- Season with pepper.
- Serve with parmesan cheese.
Two of the biggest things I worked on this past week were standardized testing for the younger four children, and homeschool high school transcripts for our two oldest boys.
Standardized tests were mailed back to the supplier today. Testing at our house is never stressful, and the kids actually look forward to it. We reward with Sprite, donuts, Jolly Rancher candies, and Hershey kisses. Later I get unbiased verification of our children’s academic strengths and weaknesses. Usually there are no glaring surprises. The test results back up what I already know.
What is not to love about testing?
All completed work is being sorted, and I’m doing a lot of purging. We don’t need to keep everything, and honestly, we don’t have the space.
A burn pile is currently stacked high in my living room.
I’m also tallying up final grades, using the HSLDA transcript service, and writing up course descriptions for the work that was done and including the books, online classes, and co-op tutor notes as a portfolio to provide whatever schools our boys end up going to. Models I’m using to write transcripts and portfolios can be found at HSLDA and through Lee Bintz, the HomeScholar.
Caps, gowns, tassels, and diplomas are all ordered for our August 1st graduation.
Mechanical M has his senior pictures taken this weekend.
Mechanical M for Homeschool Prom Night
We’ll get graduation announcements and ceremony and party details in the mail soon.
There is much to do to get ready for our first Legacy Academy graduation ceremony and party!
I was not prepared for what an emotional experience this is.
I was not prepared for the grief process that came last fall when Equine J told us he was ready to spread his wings and try new things.
I’m excited for our boys.
I really am.
It’s just sad for me.
I’ve loved raising these guys, and being done with this phase of parenting came quickly.
On the other hand, I have four more children to homeschool and raise.
I don’t have time to wallow in my bittersweet grief. There a new school year for which to organize and plan.
I’ll embrace the new season, grow, and move on.
Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Grief is part of the graduation process.
I will feel free to grieve if I must, and I will find joy in the process.
Blessings,
Deb
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:3-6
PS. I have a contest going on the LoveLeavingLegacy facebook page. Go check it out! You could win a free Lilla Rose product.
Go to the facebook page to enter! https://www.facebook.com/LoveLeavingLegacy