Just Checking In . . .

Outside my window . . . 

Last week it was glorious outside. Last night it was pouring down rain. We went to bed to lighting and thunder. This morning we awoke to this. Go figure.

I'm listening to . . .
Mace gulping down some milk. The boys "inventing" downstairs.


In the kitchen . . .

I've been putting some serious mileage on the crockpot. Here are a couple meals that have been successful. Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. Coconut Curry Chicken and Vegetables. 

In the garden . . . 
The weather didn't cooperate this weekend but Doug did manage to get the garden mowed over before the rain started. But we did get something accomplished for the garden this weekend . . .



We visited Amish country to pick up some seeds and potato tubers from their greenhouse. The kids and I have visited the area several times but Doug hadn't had the opportunity yet. On a whim, we decided to drive out Saturday since it was too rainy to till the garden. We had a lovely visit! One of my favorite places to visit in these parts. I respect and admire the life these people lead. I often feel like I can relate to the Amish better than mainstream American culture. We have much in common being cousins in Christendom. A while back I had read on a blog about a bakery that works out of a basement in the area. I found a map that someone had come up with and posted online, so I checked out the map and we ventured out. We found the house, parked next to line of cars, and made our way around to the back of the house. We opened the door to a delicious-smelling room lined with fellow Americans. We barely could fit in the door. As waited in the door we gazed at all the delicious freshly-baked goods gracing the shelves. We picked up a pint of fresh maple syrup, canned strawberry jam, a plain doughnut for Doug, a caramel-nut roll for me, a chocolate doughnut for Nutmeg, a peach turnover for Sage, and some other gooey roll for Basil. We feasted in the car out of the rain. Best roll I've ever had! Delish! Great prices too. We stopped by the neighbors for two dozen eggs on the way to the greenhouse. After the bakery it really started to pour, so we decided to get our seeds and potatoes and head back into town. I picked up a hand-drawn map of the area at the greenhouse. We'll be back for tomato and pepper plants when the weather warms up. I noticed on the map there are five greenhouses in the area as well as a number of other shops. I'd love check out one of the furniture shops one of these trips.

Parked out front of the bakery. I think these must belong to the ladies working in the kitchen. I noticed there were about 4-5 ladies working back there. I can't imagine how early they must wake up!

By the time we left, the line was out the door. 

On my nightstand . . .
"Across Five Aprils." Shorter novel about a boy coming of age during the Civil War on his family's farm in southern Illinois.

We are reading aloud . . . 
"The Light Princess" by George MacDonald.

Learning, learning all the time . . . 
I think we just might finish our math on time for the year. I looked ahead to the end of the book and noticed that we are actually much further than I thought. Wahoo! In our science book ("Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day" Apologia), we are reading about birds. Perfect timing. Just when the birds are all coming back but there aren't leaves yet on the trees, so they are easy to spot. I just ordered a set of binoculars and Wisconsin Birds guidebook. I'm excited for us to start identifying who we've got in our backyard.

Around the house . . .

Just finished this. I need to do a second coat on many of the leaves. I do like it. The bright pink glows in the dark. Very fun.

Plans for the rest of the week . . . 
It's Holy Week. I'll be trying my best to be more quiet and reflective this week. I haven't had my most fruitful Lent this year but God is gracious and kind. I have gotten good reading and thinking in though. Thursday we plan to go to a play with homeschool friends at the Al Ringling theater. Saturday Grandma S comes to visit. Sunday we celebrate the Risen Lord!

Smiley boy.