And Abraham Went Out . . .: Life Lately

Hey there!!

I've got a few pictures from life lately. I've been spending most of my waking hours prepping for our upcoming school year. (and maybe when I'm sleeping too!) It seems unusually crazy this year. I didn't really expect that. Not exactly sure why, though I do have a hunch. Unpredictable craziness with caring for family and a number of unexpected medical situations within our own family. Plus, it's my first year with three grade levels. (pre-K, 3rd, 7th) I see this year as a big step up for the older boys. In classically-educating circles they are solidly in the logic stage. So I'm doing what I can to bring them to the next level. So it has been pretty consuming for me, I'd say.

Excuse me if this gets to be a nutty post. It's late and I've been lesson planning for 7 hours. hahah. I'm going a little loopy. But hopefully it provides you with some entertainment tonight. I'll to type a few explanations out for you quickly so that I can finish off tonight's planning (history is on the docket tonight).

Anywho . . . I've been busy. I haven't been bringing the kids to do all sorts of fun summer activities. Usually that also brings on the "I'm bored!!" phrase. Can't say my kids use that often; they know my answer to that. All that to explain the picture below: Chutes and Ladders. Lots and LOTS of Chutes and Ladders. Mace has been obsessed with the game. I even hear him counting the squares by himself sometimes. I don't even try to put the game away. That's how often he plays its. Dozens of times a day maybe? Anyhow, everyone plays it with him. Tournaments, you name it. It's been done here. :)

We've got zucchini!! Lots! I've been trying to make batches of zucchini muffins to store in the freezer for busy school mornings. Yum! Healthy too. Only thing better would be if they were gluten-free. I use this stellar recipe (except that I usually use half honey, half maple syrup).

More . . .

These are a few of my favorite things . . .

Finally got the garlic down from drying!!

Took a couple pictures of the garden for my mom. Overall we did well. What we didn't do so well on was due to time constraints, mostly. The bunnies ate all my bush beans (we didn't mend the hole in the fence) and then ate the other half with the bean trellis fell over (also didn't fix). The weeds are kinda crazy in places. The only other thing is that the potatoes production was somewhat lame. Doug said he heard because it was too hot this year. Also, I have a lot to learn about growing onions. Note to self for next year: read up on onions. BUT . . . no bug problems!!! Awesome!! All those precautions for the squash beetle worked. Happy dance!! Oh and the black plastic around the tomatoes and peppers. Dynamite!!