Boston 09

Ok Boston is not one of my favorite cities. I can't wait to leave. The day started late for the kids. I woke up with the sun. The kids stayed asleep until 10:00 am. So we missed the shuttle into town having to take a taxi that cost $12.00. The upside is we drove past the bowling alley I wanted to take them to. We were dropped off at the Boston Public Library where there are some amazing biblical paintings.Justin wasn't to interested. We then headed for a game of bowling at King's. We had a good time even with Austin winning the game by 5 points. Well once again we missed the shuttle to get us to the Public Gardens so we walked to the mall had a lousy lunch and headed to the gardens by foot so we could ride the swan boats. We arrived and didn't have to wait long for our relaxing ride. While riding Glenn called and was finished with work. He met us at the boats as we were exiting. We decided to take another expensive taxi ride back to the room with intentions of taking the shuttle back into town to eat dinner. Glenn was able to get change out of his suit ans relax a little before we headed into town. The only problem is the girl told Glenn that the green shuttle, sitting outside wasn't the one we were to take she said ours was running behind but would be in soon. So we waited the green shuttle left and we waited patiently a bit longer. Finally after 10 minutes we asked if the shuttle would be in soon or should we call a taxi. Her reply was oh it left already it was the green one sitting out there. Same girl two different stories on the shuttle. We decided to stay here at the hotel why spend another $ 24.00 to get to down town to eat. Had Quizno's near the hotel and walked back to the room and researched our next city of adventure. Long story short we missed three hotel shuttles today, never made it to Boston commons or Feneuil Hall no big deal we have been to both places before. The kids and I swam in the pool so Glenn could get some work done.We had fun swimming. I did one of my old aqua aerobic routines by myself almost made me want to teach again but that was just a season. I think teaching aerobics was to get me comfortable speaking in front of people. One of those things you don't know what God wants you to do it for but you do it to be in obedience to Him. Oops off subject a bit. One thing I have enjoyed is meeting two people at the pool who both have family at the teaching hospital next door. I was able to tell one husband that I would be praying for his wife Claire as she finishes her Chemo for lung cancer and travels home to New Hampshire today. Tonight we met Yvonne her daughter is Renee who has Leukemia. I wasn't able to tell her I would pray for her daughter but I think she found comfort in having a listening ear and someone to ask questions about the treatment and just talk about the simple things in life. If anything good comes out of our day in Boston it would be that I can pray for two strangers and you can to. Time for bed. Until tomorrow.

My first Harvest of the year

I went out to garden "A" today and got my first 2 zucchini. I have about 4 more that aren't quite big enough to harvest they need a couple more days. I can't believe how out of a small seed we get our food. I planted everything about 4 weeks ago and I already have produce growing.
This is what my garden " A" looked like on May 9th. I had planted seeds about 2 weeks earlier.This is the start of my zucchini plants mixed in with last years cosmos.
These are my tomato plants and basilHere is Garden " B" it is still a work in progress I just installed a new watering system so I will post new picks in few days. Back to garden "A" here is what it looks like as of today.
Here are some Zinna flowers that are coming in.Can you see the green tomatos? Almost time to harvest them yummy.
Can you see the shiny zuchinni ? Can't wait to slice and dizzle EVOO with a little pepper and cook on the bbq.
I can't believe how big the seeds have grown. Looks at those plants. 3 zucchini and 3 crocked necks.I can't wait to share in my boutiful harvest.

Just relaxing

This week has gone by so quickly. I haven't had time to water my garden everything is probably dead. UGGH... I need to buy a new timer for weeks like this. One more day of working this week. Ap testing proctor is one of the boring jobs but it buys me toys.

Today was the last day of Womens Bible Fellowship. I already miss my girls and study. I wish we could have study year round and always meet. There is nothing like bible study at Harvest. You can feel Gods love every time you walk through those doors. You know that your friends are praying for you. You can see God at WBF because He lives in so many of the women. I pray that we all stay accountable to each other over the summer months and meet for fun days with the kids.

I guess I haven't been to busy I have done a lot of sewing this week. Thanks to my family keeping the house picked up. I haven't had a lot of extra cleaning to do. My machine was acting up last night so I might have to take it in for a tune up.

I am so looking forward to next week Nothing is on my calendar during the day. I can deep clean everything and relax reading a book. Best of all I can take my time and dig into Gods word. The only thing that has to get done is finishing up garden B.

Time for bed.

Kids

Not much to post.
Justin is so dramatic. He hurt his finger and swears it is broken. Yet he can still climb the fire truck at Baskin Robbins, skate board, play basketball and play recess at school. I think he just wants attention not that the attention is lacking here at home. I think he wants one of the metal things like his friend Cole had. It really hurts when its time for homework, bed and shower time.

Big news to pray about. We have decided that it is in Austins best interest to homeschool him next year. It will be his senior year. That is the tough part taking him out of ACA after 5 years. He started ACA in 6th grade. 7-8 th grade we homeschooled. 9th - 11th He has been back at ACA doing well but ACA lacks in some areas. Overall the school is excellent in academics.They don't have the classes that Austin needs to help him in college.Even with the school being college prep. Some of teachers think they are teaching college and forget to review the basics. That is the best thing about homeschooling I have the freedom to teach Austin using the methods that he learns best from and can keep teaching a subject until he gets it.
I've talked to the umbrella school we will be going through and have ideas of curriculum and classes he needs to take. We go to a mandatory meeting in 2 weeks. We will make the final decision at that meeting and notify ACA of our leaving on the 15th of May.
So for now that is the plan. I pray every year about homeschooling and this year the Lord has sent many confirmations to bring Austin home.

Beef, Barley and Veggies

Ok I have had a least one request a week for some of the meals I cook. I will try to post a recipe once a week. This is a old favorite. It's from the American Heart Association cookbook. I have made changes so it's not as printed in the book.

1- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

1 potato per person
1 can of beef broth
1 tsp onion powder
1tsp garlic powder or garlic salt
1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
pepper to taste

1/4 -1/2 c barley

1/2 bag of frozen mixed cut veggies ( green beans, pea, carrots)


cook ground beef until no longer pink.
remove excess fat
return beef to pan and add potato's -barley(wait if using quick cooking barley)
bring to boil over high heat. Then reduce heat to medium low, covered 8-10 minutes until potato's are tender

add frozen veggies and quick barley. Cooking until barley is tender about 10 minutes.

You can find barley in the rice/pasta section of the market and quick cooking in cereal section.

Enjoy and let me know how your family rates this recipe.

email me or call me if you have questions

Family time at the movies

It's Sunday. We did the usual wake up early to leave by 6:50am to have Austin at church to serve by 7:10 am. Had wonderful fellowship , worship and teaching. We headed off to breakfast after service. This time visiting CBU for the delicious buffet. After overeating we drove home and took our Sunday nap. Once I awoke I started the routine of laundry.
We decided to go to the movies. Our choice 17 again. I did enjoy the movie thinking it went a little long. It's true, we make bad choices in high school thinking they are good at the time. As we mature we realize we did not know much I guess what counts is that we learn from our mistakes and change. We need to take responsibility for our actions and not blame others for who we've allowed ourselves to become. I wish I would have listen to those who told me about Christ in my teen years. I didn't think I was lacking in peace or joy. I thought life was one big question and no one had purpose. Greg said today at church that we need someone to convince us of our sin. In high school I didn't think I had any big sins. I was wrong. I am glad that I was convinced and convicted of my sin. I wish it would have happened earlier but blessing sometimes do come from hard lessons.

Other than the movie I took Dutchess for a walk I thought. She decided to run after Austin and Justin as they rode their bikes. So I ended up going on a 1/4 mile run. Why is it when I want to run she looks at me as if I am crazy?

Back to laundry...

Woo hoo !!

Wow, this has been a busy week. First the fun news Justin made a double play in T- ball tonight. He was playing 3rd base. He caught the ball and tagged the base. I think he was surprised to have caught the ball. He did just like the coaches taught him.

Yesterday, Debbie and I went shopping in the LA textile district. We were looking for the perfect fabric mostly geometric designs to use for our custom creations. We are going to start a business using the gift of sewing that God has blessed us both with. We found just what we were looking for and now have to make the time and get serious about sewing daily. I have a marketing plan. Starting a business has so many details. I pray that we will be successful .

I have been watering my garden daily. I hope to plant tomorrow evening. Well its bed time for Justin so I have to go up stairs.