There's been so much happening lately, I haven't known what to give priority post ...
With the tractor came the opportunity to get a myriad of things caught up before the snow. It's still not all done, not that I have to do it, but guess who gets to do the majority of the inside work? I don't mind, but there certainly is much to keep me busy. Needless to say, keeping you posted has not been top priority.
Some of us made a quick much needed trip to Saskatchewan to visit family over Thanksgiving. It was a good, much-needed well-earned break. Yes, we have much to be thankful for.
Upon our return we've gotten the remainder of the chickens into freezers, started the winter Farmer's Market and finally started school full bore. Like I said before, we're always learning, but now it is time to put in some serious time with the book studies. Oh, we've also taken family pictures (watch for those) & celebrated Thanksgiving with our Church fellowship. Never a lack for things to do 'round here. Did I mention hunting thrown into that mix? Gotta restock the freezer for another year ya' know. Our crew eats heartily, though it does slow down for winter when they are not quite as active physically.
This good food we grow is such a blessing to our family too. The value is priceless in so many ways. I'm continually amazed at how much I'm learning to cook with new fresh garden goodies ... and that my family tries it & most often enjoys it is a huge additional blessing! They're learning to grow & eat good healthy foods through this life we live here @ Klasse Woods.
Of course, wrapping things up for winter seemingly never ends. I'm still hoping to get the Fall cleaning done, including windows inside & out. Closets will be next ... and I can always hope for a few minor improvements indoors ??
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thousands
This picture is worth a thousand words:
Of course, the tractor is worth thousands of dollars.
It will save thousands of hours and it will be useful in thousands of jobs here at Klasse Woods Natural Farm.
And one for fun ...
Of course, the tractor is worth thousands of dollars.
It will save thousands of hours and it will be useful in thousands of jobs here at Klasse Woods Natural Farm.
And one for fun ...
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Colors of Fall
This beauty is deceiving ... it's poison ivy. One of the first to turn color in Fall, it keeps it's color a long time too.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
A Messy Test?
... and a "test" into a Testimony!
IF we let Him.
Romans 8:28 ... He works ALL things out for GOOD for those who LOVE HIM ...
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Meaningful Memories
Two years ago today, my little sister went to heaven. At nearly 41 years (she's 40 in the picture above), she had far outlived her life-expectation. She was physically & mentally challenged, yet in spite of her condition she left a legacy, through the efforts of our parents -- because our parents (along with a few other such parents in our community) foresaw the need their challenged children would have when they would be adults. A pilot project group home was begun in the mid-80's in small-town Hague, Saskatchewan. That first home, Sunshine Housing, was an astounding success. So much so that, by the time of Vonda's passing on September 8, 2008 there were no less than 42 such homes around the province.
My sister Vonda had some of the best years of her life as an adult, with fewer health issues and great opportunities living in "her own home" in Saskatoon. Thanks in great part to the SAI program workers.
And ... the legacy lives on in the life of our youngest brother, also challenged, who even today enjoys a quality of life beyond our best imaginations for them. And of course, many others also benefit from the legacy -- not only those challenged, but also the support staff people and their families who benefit from the career opportunities and love these precious people have to offer. A whole industry has grown out of this legacy. Small town Hague thrives, in part, because of what Sunshine Housing has to offer -- they now have not one, not two, but three houses which are home to challenged adults & offering respite to their younger peers.
A Precious Memory:
As I had requested, my folks sent this picture of my little sister Vonda in a special dress Mom made for her:
The other day, we made another memory -- we dressed up our own little Faith Mattaya in that Holly Hobbie dress Mom made for Vonda. It fits Faith Mattaya at 18 months except for the length. Vonda wore it at about 9 years of age.
Dressing Faith up in this memorable dress is just like playing dolls. We doubled the precious memories!!!!
I am just so glad that we have the assurance of meeting Vonda in heaven one day ... and the knowledge that she is in a better place with no more suffering really blesses me too.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Butterflies or Back to School?
As a home schooling family, just like everyone else, we often get asked the question "When are you starting school?" This year, having the market garden which is still producing in it's bounty, it is rather hard to set a start date as we have done in years past.
This year, like most of the rest, our summer has been ripe with learning opportunities: Marketing & Math are excellent training for the older boys. The younger boys also have a myriad of learning opportunities as they observe their world of wonder, things that their older siblings have already gleaned.
Just one science project that the twins are observing is the process of a caterpillar they found change into a cocoon, then a chrysalis and finally into the butterfly that they have determined through research that it will become --- so much more fun & real & enduring than learning from a book. We review Math, addition & multiplication, happens in the garden while picking 5 handfuls of 10 beans or 8 sets of 3 peas -- then whispering to Mommy how many beans/peas they picked etc. The concept of dozens happens while washing & packing eggs into cartons. Temperature is watched closely on the computer weather website -- do we need to water the garden today or cover it because it might freeze tonight? Will we have a few dry days in a row to cut the hay & get it baled before it gets rained on? Of course, counting money is a natural after a successful day at the market -- checking the coins to find special ones to add to their collections is incentive enough to rifle through the change & identify each one!
Of course, as home educating parents, we also know where our students are at - what they are capable of learning and/or need yet to learn - so we can capitalize on those prime opportunities that God gives to input new information into their lives or emphasize facts, theories & character into our children. Each day God gives grace & insight, He is there to fill our gaps & to "take back the years that the locusts have eaten" when we fail. Though we try not to fail, being human, we often fall short. Yet, He has blessed us with each child. It is He on Whom we can rely to teach & direct each child into their strengths & purpose for which He has made them. He loves them all infinitely more than we ever could, yet He saw fit to give us the joy of loving, knowing & training each child. What an honor! We strive to be found faithful & look toward the eternal reward, to hear His words "Well done, though good & faithful servant."
So, in reality, we are always in school - the school of life. Our school never ends, though we do put away some books & scale back the academic schedule for the busy outdoor summer months, but we never need to go back to school. We're always learning - a goal we hope to instill on our children is a "love of learning" along with the skills to learn.
To God be the Glory!
This year, like most of the rest, our summer has been ripe with learning opportunities: Marketing & Math are excellent training for the older boys. The younger boys also have a myriad of learning opportunities as they observe their world of wonder, things that their older siblings have already gleaned.
Just one science project that the twins are observing is the process of a caterpillar they found change into a cocoon, then a chrysalis and finally into the butterfly that they have determined through research that it will become --- so much more fun & real & enduring than learning from a book. We review Math, addition & multiplication, happens in the garden while picking 5 handfuls of 10 beans or 8 sets of 3 peas -- then whispering to Mommy how many beans/peas they picked etc. The concept of dozens happens while washing & packing eggs into cartons. Temperature is watched closely on the computer weather website -- do we need to water the garden today or cover it because it might freeze tonight? Will we have a few dry days in a row to cut the hay & get it baled before it gets rained on? Of course, counting money is a natural after a successful day at the market -- checking the coins to find special ones to add to their collections is incentive enough to rifle through the change & identify each one!
Of course, as home educating parents, we also know where our students are at - what they are capable of learning and/or need yet to learn - so we can capitalize on those prime opportunities that God gives to input new information into their lives or emphasize facts, theories & character into our children. Each day God gives grace & insight, He is there to fill our gaps & to "take back the years that the locusts have eaten" when we fail. Though we try not to fail, being human, we often fall short. Yet, He has blessed us with each child. It is He on Whom we can rely to teach & direct each child into their strengths & purpose for which He has made them. He loves them all infinitely more than we ever could, yet He saw fit to give us the joy of loving, knowing & training each child. What an honor! We strive to be found faithful & look toward the eternal reward, to hear His words "Well done, though good & faithful servant."
So, in reality, we are always in school - the school of life. Our school never ends, though we do put away some books & scale back the academic schedule for the busy outdoor summer months, but we never need to go back to school. We're always learning - a goal we hope to instill on our children is a "love of learning" along with the skills to learn.
To God be the Glory!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
A Hubbard
I'm wondering if the "Hubbard Squash" is named after "olde Mother Hubbard"? It certainly would have filled up her cupboard, lol!
Our little cowgirl is riding it like a bronc ... it's almost that big, just not bucking.
Apparently some folks prefer the hubbard to pumpkin because the flesh is smooth, not stringy like pumpkin can tend to be ... and just as sweet or sweeter. So if you have a hankerin' for some pumpkin pie? You know where to get the fresh squash for the filling.
Our little cowgirl is riding it like a bronc ... it's almost that big, just not bucking.
Apparently some folks prefer the hubbard to pumpkin because the flesh is smooth, not stringy like pumpkin can tend to be ... and just as sweet or sweeter. So if you have a hankerin' for some pumpkin pie? You know where to get the fresh squash for the filling.
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