Hunting

Recently, a friend asked me if I ever felt a bit bitter about hunting.  My immediate response was that hunting season afforded me the freedom to do a few things that I typically wouldn't do if Shannon was around and I was just used to hunting season since that's what I grew up with. But after thinking about it for a while, Shannon's hunting doesn't bother me for other reasons.

First of all, if I ever need Shannon to stay home, he does in a heartbeat.  Often, even if I don't know that I need him home, he knows that I need him home and won't go hunting.  I know that I'm his priority so I have never felt like a "hunting widow."  Over the years, he has made sure I have time for me, so I feel hunting season is time for him.

When Shannon comes home after a good hike or hunt he is invigorated and that fills my heart up.  I see the man I married when he arrives home with a good story, his voice filled with the excitement of one of the kids. He is able to give more at home and to work when his cup is full.  What better way to fill it than spending time in God's creation!

The way he shares his love of the outdoors with the kiddos relieves me of some of the stress of having all the kids at home by myself.  Even him taking one or two makes things just a wee bit easier at home, kind of a "divide and conquer" approach.  And....I do have to admit that when Shannon is not at home, our dinners are super laid back.....something that simplifies my life a bit!

There is also the fact that I love how Shannon is slightly grizzled and woodsy when he arrives home from a couple days hunting.  Maybe the mountain man look kinda works for me.  He keeps saying he is going to make a "mountain man" cologne and see if it sells.  Who knows, it may!

The bottom line is I love what hunting does for Shannon.  He doesn't take advantage of the season, he has his cherubs with him, and he is renewed body and soul.

So, my dear friend, had my brain engaged before my mouth, this is what I would have said ~:o)

Our annual leaf walk

Raspberry Rolls & Menu

A few years ago a wicked relative introduced us to the Pioneer Woman website.  Michaela was immediately smitten with all the pictures of farm life that accompanied the recipes on the site.  I was taken with the delosh cinnamon rolls.  They are good.  Maybe a little too good.  They have become a staple around our house, especially during the colder months.

A few weeks ago, a friend was telling us all about the wonderful raspberry-cream cheese rolls at a bakery not far from here.  When Annika and I took a roadie down there to purchase flour for the next few months we decided we must at least try the rolls this guy was salivating over.  Unfortunately, we were slightly disappointed.  They were big, but that's about it.

After thinking about the rolls for a few days, I decided they had promise, just needed a little fine tuning.  I whipped up a batch of Pioneer Woman's cinnamon roll dough, rolled it out, covered it with raspberry jam and butter versus butter, cinnamon and sugar, then cut them into rolls as usual.  After baking, they were slathered with cream cheese frosting.

Now, I am not typically one to say how wonderful something I made is, but am making an exception.  These were something magnificent, especially if raspberries are your thing.  We took some to my brother and a neighbor for sampling ~ they were a hit!  This week we made another batch and delivered them to Shannon's friend who began this whole new sinful indulgence ~ his exact words were, "I'm not sure how you live with that woman without dying of cardiac arrest."

Here's the link for the dough recipe for anyone inclined to try these.  Just make sure you make them in several small pans to give away so you don't eat them all!
AND eat them right out of the oven.  If you're forced to wait, make sure to warm them up.  We had them this morning without being warm and they simply aren't as good!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/cinammon_rolls_

Menu

Monday ~ cubed steaks, mashed potatoes, green beans

Tuesday ~ spaghetti & salad (make extra sauce for freezer!)

Wednesday ~ sausages, kraut, applesauce, cabbage salad (make extra sausage for later in week)

Thursday ~ chicken salad, crusty bread

Friday ~ grilled rock fish, spinach salad, risotto

Saturday ~ sausage-potato soup, carrots, fruit slices

Sunday ~ stew

Monday ~ garden quiche, fruit kabobs

Tuesday ~ french dips, broccoli florets, pear slices

Wednesday ~ chicken rice soup & bread

Thursday ~ steaks, oven potatoes, salad w/ranch

Friday ~ mac-n-cheese, pears, roasted broccoli

Saturday ~ meatballs, mashed potatoes, peas & carrots

Sunday ~ lasagna (extra pan or two for freezer)

Where Oh Where Did My Little Boy Go?

I found this kid vacuuming Dom's room last week.  I had to wonder where my five-year-old was, especially when the boy was found on his knees vacuuming under the heaters because, "It is just so dirty!"

Snow Days

Why do kids love snow?  I am just not so excited about it any longer unless we are headed to a ski hill or it is the weeks around Christmas....then it must be snowy.  Watching how excited the kids get, especially the youngest ones, is kinda entertaining!  They see the beauty in a white-covered world, the absolute clean slate for a fun day.  

Our "hot tub"

Who knows what Nickles has in store for this snowball

They didn't even know they were taking a bath!

Best Mom or Worst Mom

Last week we left the kiddos with a babysitter during which time Nicholas decided to trim his hair.  He said he wanted a mohawk.  So, I decided I'd better repair his attempt.  Figuring it couldn't really hurt for a day, I finished the mohawk and told him I would be shaving off the rest that evening.  He was the happiest little boy I've ever seen.  Shannon advised that the other boys had never been able to talk me into that hairstyle, so to make all things equal, the offer was thrown out there to whichever boys wanted a mohawk for a day.  The only one in the bunch who declined was Eric.  He wasn't too hip on the idea of a buzz going into the colder part of the year.  The others figured that's what hats are for!

While relating the story to Father Stu he said the entire thing was not too smart on my part, pointing out that a lot of men in jail have said hairstyle.  He felt it indicated a rebellious attitude.  Now, I'm trying to decide whether my boys' excitement made me eligible for Mom of the Year or by allowing them to look like punks for a day disqualified me permanently!

Observing a science project ~

learning how convection currents work.

Daddy making sure the job was completed ~

Menu & Shannon's Elk

I actually succeeded in following the menu for the past couple weeks AND have the next two weeks planned.  It has definitely kept life simpler!  Shannon doesn't like reading the menu.  He says dinner isn't a surprise then and he kinda likes surprises. 

Sunday ~ Burgers, Oven Fries, Homemade Applesauce

Monday ~ Loin Steaks, New Potatoes, Salad

Tuesday ~ Stroganoff, Broccoli Salad

Wednesday ~ Brats, Onions, Apples

Thursday ~ Veggie Quiche

Friday ~ Clam Chowder, Fruit & Veggie Slices

Saturday ~ Pasties, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Salad (make extras for freezer)

Sunday ~ Broccoli Soup

Monday ~ Oriental Chicken Salad

Tuesday ~ Rock Fish, Risotto, Julienne Carrots

Wednesday ~ Elk Roast & Gravy, Steamed Veggies, New Potatoes

Thursday ~ Taco Salad, Carrot Sticks

Friday ~ Apple Cheddar Pannini, Spinach Salad

In other news, Shannon was rather disappointed with the elk he got this year.  These pictures arrived from Ben today.  Now, looking back at the entire experience Shannon is feeling much better about it.  Hunting isn't all about the size of the animal, although sometimes it seems that way!  

 

 

Michaela & Katherine

Michaela & Katherine left on their big trip this morning ~ off to Germany with Grams and Gramps with a special little side trip to Paris with Grandpa.  I'm not entirely certain whether they are more excited to see Auntie Margaret, Uncle Alex, Pierce & Gretel or the Eiffel Tower!  Or was it the French pastries they said they were so looking forward to?

I can't remember.  

All I know is lists have been made, suitcases packed, tummies in butterflies for weeks now.  Katherine was almost impossible to live with!

We will miss you, Michaela and Katherine, but know you will have the time of your life.  Make sure not to eat too many pastries and stay away from that German beer!  Okay, you can try a sip if Uncle Alex is with you!

~ Love, Mom

Sleepy eyes, coffees in hand, ready to roll!