So it is almost a New Year

The last few years have been more than rough for our family. As 2011 approaches I have a feeling that things things will continue to get better and better. There is an old saying that "time heals all wounds" - and while I can attest to the truthfulness of that, I am also hear to say that the scars can be a real bitch. But what I also believe, is that if we are open to the learning and personal and spiritual growth that comes from those wounds and scars, we can be better used by God to serve and bless His children.

I have felt the grace of God as He has held me through hardships, and for that, this year I am most thankful.

So here are a few of my resolutions:

1. Write - writing has always been a way for me to de-stress and I need to do that more

2. Pray more fervently- God is there and He knows me (and you)

3. Get my Blackbelt - There, I said it publicly!!! (yikes!)

There are more of course, but those are just for me...

Happy New Year, and may 2011 be a fantastic year for all of us.

To Dye For...

Our first foray into the world of fiber dying.

This really was a great project to do with the kids. We learned that we need LOTS more kool-aid for deeper richer colors. I also learned that you can use wilton gel food colorings with a few glugs of vinegar to get good results. Who knew...

I ordered some hanks of bare peruvian wool from Knit Picks with my christmas money. I ordered a whole lot more too - but let's keep that one a secret from the man...

Next we washed the wool being very careful not to agitate too much as the 100% wool has the potential to felt and that would be a disaster.

Then, using a turkey baster the kids "painted" the yarn. G is using just two colors for stripes.

When the yarn was all "painted" we wrapped it in plastic and zapped it in the microwave for 2 minutes twice. We could tell that it was done when we pressed the yarn and saw clear, rather than colored water seep out.

Here are two finished skeins hanging to dry in the bathroom. Hmmmmmm... wonder what they will become...

Finished! Well sort of...

It is finished - or at least I am finished with it...

I realized that I have a lot to learn when it comes to knitting lace. Whew! This was one killer project for me. Every time I got to the end of a row I either had one too few stitches or one too many. I was driving myself nuts - so I cast off without finishing all of the charts and blocked and wore it as a scarf/wrap to a party. I liked it. I wish that the pictures could actually do the fiber justice. It is the most heavenly blend of silk and mohair. So soft and warm it makes you want to just bury your face it it. The good news is since I didn't finish the pattern I have a bunch of yarn left over for another lace project. But first I have to practice a bit more.

I have already started another lace project - a stole in a heavier weight alpaca - MUCH easier for a beginning lace knitter :)

Icarus Shawl Part 2

Well after frogging twice I think that I have finally got it going. This is my first lace project and whew - I am glad I didn't pick a harder project. I am about 30 % done. Won't have it done by Christmas but the man has a holiday party in January. Hope hope hope...

I am only doing 3 repeats of the pattern and then will start the leaf ends and beading.

I have never blocked lace before so that should be a real learning project. Can't wait to see what the finished product will look like.

This has been a great beginner project to learn to lace work.

I have been drooling over some alpaca/silk blend lace weight yarn and already have plans for another wrap.

Teenaged Fiber Wisdom

So - I was in Walmart with the kids. (Have I ever mentioned how much I detest going to Walmart with 6 kids? - sorry back to the story...) The kids were picking out cereal (Walmart has cheap cereal btw... ) while I was searching the shelves for Kool-aid.

Now those of you who know me well will not be surprised that this garnered much confused attention from the tribe.

E and K were loudly whispering :

"Hey, mom's buying kool-aid!"

"What! No way! Is she going to let us drink it?"

"Yeah I think we get Kool-aid"

Followed by some jumping in the aisle.

Enter the thirteen year old brother:

"Guys, no way is she buying kool-aid..."

Prodded by younger siblings, he confirms that I am indeed purchasing kool-aid.

"Hmmm - maybe we are getting kool-aid..."

Enter the voice of 14 1/2 year old wisdom:

"Guys! Be real! (lots of eye rolling ) She's not going to let you drink it - She's probably going to dye wool with it! Geesh..."

Sure enough - Miss M was right. I AM dying wool with it! Turns out Kool-aid makes a great dye on all animal fibers. You can read all about it here.

I plan on some lemon-lime mittens...

Harry Potter Knit House Scarf

It's no secret that our whole family has been captivated by the Harry Potter series of books so when I found a knitting book with all sorts of knitting patterns from the Magical World I had to get it.

Charmed Knits is a fantastic collections of patterns for even the beginning knitter.

This is the scarf that G wanted - I helped him cast on - but then he did the rest himself. All he needs is glasses and a scar...

Icarus Shawl

I have been looking for a holiday wrap or shawl pattern to make for Christmas and New Year's. Every year I wish I had made a wrap - so this year I decided to really do it. Last month when I was in Portland with The Man I found a fantastic knit shop and spent about 3 hours there just pouring over patterns and yarn. (Did I mention that the kids were farmed out at home?) I found a beautiful kid mohair and silk yarn that I just couldn't put down. It cost a fortune but it was calling my name and I just couldn't resist. So here we go - I am knitting away on tiny size 3 circs!

Yeah yeah... I know it doesn't look like much now - but just wait. I am planning on beading the ends and wearing it for New Years - hopefully 2010 NOT 2011!

Check out the pattern here

Pinewood Derby

It's that most wonderful time of the year...

Oh yeah - that would be the 

PINEWOOD DERBY

E and dad worked hard on the pinewood derby car

if I told you their secrets they would have to kill me

but

I am sure that E and the man would take pity on you and share their

skills if you asked nicely...

E's car came in first in all of the heats except for the last one

when it caught air and didn't get counted

it still came in first though...

E was doing some trash talking - 

but isn't he cute!

There they are - the proud champs

A Family Home Evening Hit

Peppermint Patty Burgers

This was a BIG hit at our last Family Home Evening

RECIPE

1 box of Vanilla Wafers (these are the buns)

1 bag of Peppermint Patties (these are the burgers)

Coconut Flakes ( for Lettuce)

White Frosting

Red, Yellow and Green Food Coloring

1st -

Put your coconut in a plastic baggie

and put a few drops of GREEN food coloring in.

Mush the baggie

This will be your lettuce.

2nd

Color half of the frosting RED - for catsup

Color the other half YELLOW - for mustard

3rd

On one Vanilla Wafer spread the RED frosting

On the second wafer spread the YELLOW frosting

Sprinkle the GREEN coconut on one of the wafers

4th

Add a chocolate peppermint patty in the middle

and you have a BURGER

5th

ENJOY!

This is why I can never sleep in

The rule is the kids have to practice their music in the morning 

- otherwise - 

well, you know - it just won't get done. 

The problem is the math:  

4 kids x 1/2 hour piano practice minimum = 2 + hours  

PLUS

2 kids that play the flute, trombone and baritone horn = at least another hour

ADD TO THAT

babies that LOVE to bang on the drums

(why oh why did I buy the drum set????)

What does this all equal for me?

Very loud 

Very early 

mornings

Constancy

“... I can't believe there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man [or woman] who knows the secret of making dreams come true. This special secret ... can be summarized in four C's. They are Courage, Curiosity, Confidence and Constancy ...."
- Walt Disney

I think that I struggle the most with the "constancy" - I know that if I could get THAT one down I could accomplish so much more.

Create

Many times in the chaos of my busy life as a homeschool mom with 6 kids I feel as if I have no time to delve into the creative side of my nature. That the work involved with caring for such a large family eclipses my own creativity. This is a wonderful reminder that creation is part of our nature - part of who we are intrinsically.

Time for me to start exploring once more...

A few things that make an overwhelmed mom happy

There are a few things that make me happy as a mom. Here is a short list:

1. Chocolate - I think that chocolate is a necessity of motherhood. There is nothing better than taking a "time out" with a cup of hot cocoa - preferably mexican chocolate.

2. Dinner Group - I belong to a dinner group so rather than having to cook dinner for my family 7 nights a week - I cook only once a week and get my dinners delivered to me the days I don't cook - It is great!

3. Wireless Internet - now most of you probably take this for granted but we have lived quite literally in the "sticks" for most of our marriage and cable broadband or DSL is never available. We finally bit the bullet and got satellite internet - still not the greatest but way better than dial-up!

4. My new dinning room table! - We finally got a dinning room table that fits the whole family and even a guest or two.

5. Great kids who know how to work - We have worked hard at teaching our kids how to work and help out the family. These past weeks as we have struggled with colds and the flu I have been amazed at how the kids have just jumped in and been able to help us out - cook, clean the works - that really makes an overwhelmed mom happy!

Chocolate Mug Cake

Just so we are all clear - I got this recipe from another Mormon Mommy Blogger and did get her permission to share.

For the times in your life when you need a good shot of chocolate ... quickly.

This is best served with a side of vanilla ice cream...

55

CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

Just a pinch of salt and baking powder

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

a small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high).

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

Thoughts about our Family Home Evening

Run Molly Run!

Jason - compulsive proposer

So maybe watching the Bachelor was not the best FHE we've had in a while... But it was fun yelling at the TV and making fun of all the idiot choices being made.

The whole show is admittedly ridiculous - I mean these relationships are doomed to failure. On one hand, the whole concept of the show has me digging my eyes out with a grapefruit spoon - I mean how do these beautiful women debase themselves by chasing after some stupid guy who can't make up his mind because he has too many choices?

In general it is NOT a good idea to agree to marry a guy with 25 other girlfriends - that is unless you call Colorado City your home...

- but for some reason I get hooked.

Some observations from the tribe:

G (12) - "Why can't he just make up his mind already? (guttural sound of disgust) They're just girls (roll of the eyes)."

J (19) - "OH MY GOSH!! OH MY GOSH!! OH MY GOSH!!" (followed by squeaking)

M (13) - "I can't believe she's just sitting there - I would walk away." (that's my girl!)

The Man - "I can't believe we're watching this..."

K (10) - "I give them 2 weeks."

E (9) - after watching the entire night... "Wait - who did he choose?"

When you have six kids music lessons don't come cheap - 

Four of our children play instruments - all 4 play the piano, 1 also plays the flute 

and 1 also plays the trombone and baritone - and I am hoping that they develop 

a life long love of music.

All that's missing is a crown...

We have our fingers crossed...

This is why I LOVE Eugene

So I was at 

Sweet Life 

again!

Almond Peach Muffins - this time

no chocolate...

But - I couldn't resist these... 

They are the tastiest shortbread cookies 

Little Miss H

likes them.

Devoured!

And - the best part...

they're

vegan...

Eggs for sale

K and E have long been the "chicken kids."  

Allowance does not come easy in a household of six plus kids so K and E started selling eggs a few years ago. Lately however the chickens have not been cooperative.  Over the last few months we have added on to their coop, introduced new "girls" to the flock, went through winter and had to break up a few chicken arguments.  I think that they all went through a rather long molt and period of stress.  They haven't been laying more than 2 - 3 eggs a day for over 6 months - not even enough for our family let alone for K and E to sell.  Last week I even ordered six laying hens hoping to boost our egg production.   

(Shhh don't tell the the man... he thinks we have too many hens as is! ) 

So imagine our surprise when the kids went out to the chicken coop yesterday and collected 81 eggs!   Eighty-holy-moly-one!  As Ricky Ricardo says, "Wha' hahpen?"

 

The weather has been great - in fact it has been beautiful and the girls have been getting along much better - so I don't know - maybe they were just making up for lost time.

K and E were beside themselves and sold 4 dozen eggs yesterday.  

They are saving up for healeys - you know those shoes with wheels on the heals so kids can glide.  

Conversations with E

So I am walking through Wal-Mart yesterday  - I hate going to Wal-Mart with all 6 kids so I was a bit distracted while E was chattering away about Karate and frankly I was not paying much attention...UNTIL he said this: 

 "and then sensai taught us how to pop peoples eyeballs right out!"

What?!?  I mean really what does a mom say to that information?

"Just don't do it to your brother" - It was the best I could do.

I have a chocolate hangover

Pass the Tylenol...

I would have never guessed that it would be possible but apparently it is...

After 3 solid days of everyone gifting me with chocolate from my absolute favorite place in the world - yes, that is right, Sweet Life , I am all chocolated out - done - kaput - and would like broccoli on Valentine's Day.

I highly recommend

that you send your husband on a business trip on your 40th birthday.  

The man must be feeling especially guilty because I am being spoiled today. I am sure he must have given the kids a good lecture because they are going way out of their way today.

This morning I got breakfast in bed AND a back massage.  I had to request a foot massage instead because it was too hard to swallow my toast when my 9 year old son was pounding on my back.

The night the man left he brought me lots of chocolate treats (and a new iPod):

Last night my niece brought this over:       

Then today these came:

I'm telling you - this has been a great deal...

Over the Hill

Today is the last day of my 30's

(cue nostalgic music)

Tomorrow I will be 40.

40 

Oh My Good Golly Molly!!!!

That just sounds so OLD!

I'm dealing with it quite well actually.  My husband is in Las Vegas and will be seeing the Blue Man Group without me ( he's claiming it is work related - ppfftt!  whatever...) while I am left to spend my birthday AND Valentine's day with 6 kids and an old dog.

Not to worry - I have chocolate - 

lots of chocolate...

Monday's Confession

I love watching The Bachelor. 

I know - I know

Stupid - base - lowest common denominator - yada yada yada...

(Believe me, I hear this from my hubby regularly)

I am hooked

I mean, seriously hooked.

I worry about Jason. 

I mean, who is he going to choose?  Will she be a good mom to Ty?  That little kid is seriously cute.   

I was glad he got rid of Naomi - she was just too young to make a good mom.  I like Molly and Gillian but are they really ready to be a step-mom?  

And now, I am all worried about next week - DeAnna who broke Jason's heart last season is coming back to see if she has another chance... 

She broke up with Jesse  - apparently at the luggage carousel at the airport leaving poor Jesse is heartbroken on YouTube. 

My advice to Jason:  Don't do it man - stay away from DeAnna.

Adoption News!!

Well after only two years we finally signed the finalization papers for Hannah's adoption. The papers are now sitting on a judge's desk awaiting his signature and as soon as he signs them (he may be signing them right now...) it is all done - whew - we can celebrate, bless her and take her to the temple.  

We feel very blessed