Thursday, February 28, 2013

February 2013

We're doing really well.  Both boys are doing great with school and really like the extra classes they're taking. It’s been about 4 weeks since Jon broke his ribs. He's over the worst of it now, but in the beginning he had a lot of pain and had to really watch his movements.

We enjoyed Valentine's Day with a game of Lego Creationary and a warm gooey pizookie รก la mode. Pizookies are big cookies typically cooked in a pizza pan.  I loved how touched the boys were by the special Valentines notes I wrote them.  I also love the sweet homemade cards the boys made me and the flowers from Jon.  Plus he made the pizookie so I could rest.  Then we all got tummy aches from over eating.  Opps!  I should have known that taco night and pizookies are just too much deliciousness for one night.  Will power didn't stand a chance.

I'm getting ready for my spring garden.  I've got seeds starting inside and we've got a big truck load of mushroom compost sitting in the yard steaming hot and stinky.  It’s only $10 a load from a local mushroom company.  I’m trying a couple firsts this year:  I'm starting most of my peppers from seeds I saved from last year's garden and growing all the seedlings under fluorescent grow lights.  I’m excited about the heirloom tomato seed varieties I bought this year!  I also have a few experiments going to see what works best.  I’ve got 3 techniques going for germination and 2 different seed starting soils.  I’m learning a lot. 

Getting our garden beds prepped is my current big project.  I’m still in step 1: Sift an unending amount of soil through the mesh frame Jon made for me, to get rid of all the rocks and debris, before we mix in the mushroom compost.  Thankfully this epic job is a one time job.  I'm super impressed with the boys’ commitment to this project.  We felt like we were doing an archaeological dig.  Maybe we'll unearth something awesome...instead of just the disgusting grubs we've found so far.  We have a long way to go, but I'm feeling really good about our progress.  Hard work leaves me feeling really satisfied :)  Additionally, I had a couple soul replenishing catch up phone calls with dear CA friends this month. My heart is feeling full and satisfied.

I’ve got my ticket booked to go to visit my dear college friend, Laurie, in Washington DC in April!  I’m really excited!  I’ve wanted to get out there for years to get a taste of her life in DC.  Actively participating in the lives of my dear friends is important to me and I’m thankful I finally can put my words/heart into action.   I’m flying out of Dallas, which is about 3 hours from us.  The boys have campgrounds reserved for that weekend near Dallas.  They’re going to have so much fun camping with our friends.

We’ve gone to a monthly homeschool skate day two months in a row now.  We took Ben’s friend Cole with us both times and they’ve had a blast.  It was Cole’s first time last month and Ben’s second, ever, at a skating rink.  It is so fun to see how quickly both boys are progressing.  This time, as old pros (Cole’s 2nd and Ben’s 3rd time), they were attempting to do double skate jumps like the teenagers.  They actually got pretty close with their cute little hops.  There was a lot of “watch me Mom!”  I ohhh’d and ahhh’d appropriately :)  I skated with the kids the first time and took it easy on the sidelines this time, as I wasn’t feeling well.  It’s so sweet seeing Ben and Cole’s friendship blossom right before my eyes.  They stayed close to each other’s side skating or were hanging on the rink’s wall chatting and watching the other skaters.  It was soooo cute!  Meanwhile, I’ve been getting to know some other homeschool moms who come.

I really love the Food & Wine Magazine I’ve been getting!  I got it as a free extra when I ordered my Kitchenaid mixer.  I’ve tried some really amazing recipes from it, such as a very delicious bagel recipe!  This is especially exciting since there aren't a plethora of bagel stores here in Texas, like there are in CA.  Now I can make my own delicious homemade bagels!  Plus, bonus, I very successfully recreated the fillings from my favorite bagel sandwich from a CA bagel shop - homemade spinach egg patties, melted cheddar, homemade chipotle mayo, bacon, avocado, and tomato! Soooo good!

I’ve also acquired some new ramekins that Target was clearancing out.  I’ve made my first pot pie and it was amazing, especially the dough.  It was another Food & Wine find and the secret ingredient is potato flakes!