Tim, Anya, Trevor and Dyl
Cynthia, Katherine and Dyl ( eating the Italian entree, of course! ;)
Being transported via 15 passenger van :) Obviously a homeschool prom.
Dyl and his lovely date, Katherine.
Corsages. I was going for simplicity, but now see the other girls were more fru-fru. Can I ever get it right? :)
Tim, Dyl, Trevor and Andrew with their Panther jerseys.
The couples
I am thankful for. ...Zak getting some work, Al getting an apartment. I don't really know how thankful I am about that, but it always amazes me to see my children do really adult things like secure an apartment for themselves when I am still changing their sibling's diapers. ;)
From the schoolroom. . ..I'm taking this one off the list for a couple months. Huzzah! ;)
From the kitchen ....I like when I find a yummy new recipe, but not so much when I am the only one who likes it. :) Curry Spread made with curry and chutney. Too good. I experimented and made almond-date granola. Like. A lot. Granola is a fun thing to play around with. It's nice that it is such a hit around here.
I am wearing . . .black and white cotton skirt with big flowers on it, a green t-shirt, black hoops and flip flops.
I am creating . . .The boys were enthralled today by some pictures of animals hanging on a fence at the zoo. That gave me the idea ( although not all-together original) of having Naomi take pictures of several different types of animals, get them blown up and put them on the wall in their room.
I am reading and watching . . . I started "Mary Lavelle" by Kate O'Brien. It is funny how you happen upon books. I was listening to an interview with a contemporary Irish author on NPR and he mentioned Kate O'Brien and gave a bit of her background, which was of interest to me. They had the book in storage at the Mt Clemens library. So far, good.
Naomi and I watched "Cranford" again. That is one that can be watched again and again. So full of gems. I don't know why Elizabeth Gaskell doesn't get more credit for being a superstar author like Jane Austen. It is gratifying to see that her works are getting resurrected...if only via the modern screen.
I am hearing . . Manny and Jed goofing around with marbles. Have you ever noticed that boys don't commonly use things for what they are meant to be used for? Somehow a marble landed in our neighbor's yard. Enough said. ;)
Around the house. . I think I have just about got all the winter/summer clothes switched out and put back in the respective places in closets and the attics. I also have a nice clean closet in my room. Ahhhhhhhhh
One of my favorite things. ..reading late at night when I know I won't be disturbed. If only I could keep myself from zonking out after a few paragraphs.
What will we do this week. . Just took a trip to the zoo. REALLY need to finish up the backyard and clean out the garage. This is the last week of soccer games before the tournament. What will we do for entertainment? ;) Visiting with nan this weekend, perhaps a memorial day picnic.
I am thankful for. . .my dear husband and children who make being a mother possible. Oh, and the good Lord, too! ;)
From the schoolroom. . ..I did a survey with everyone and it looks like only a couple have math to finish and a bit of spelling. We're home free!
From the kitchen .....I made some nectarine jam yesterday. Randazzo's had a big box for $2 and the kids were eating them like popcorn, but we still had quite a few. Wow, it is really delicious. Sort of like peach but a bit more tangy. Just what I like.
I am wearing . . .army green capri's, a grey, white and turquoise hooded top, tennis shoes and a visor.
I am creating . . ..well, I made a wrist corsage for Dylan and Catherine. That's about the sum of it.
I am reading and watching . . .Mary Lincoln, A Life & The Reluctant Empress
I had quite an *Austrian* week this week. I am reading a biography of an Austrian Empress, and we also watched "The Sound of Music", added to that a debate with Zak on whether or not Napoleon III was a liberator of Italy from the Austrians or a conqueror. I'm impressed, Ave. ;)
Watched: Heir to an Execution
I am only peripherally acquainted with the story of the Rosenburgs. I remember being somewhat intriqued by it when I was younger because it was so shocking to think that the US still executed spies as late as the 50's. This was more of a personal story of their family in a documentary made by their granddaughter. Quite interesting.
Naomi and I watched the latest BBC offering of "Persuasion" which I thought was very well done.
I am hearing . . dishes clanging about while being washed.
Around the house. . .trying to work on the outside. The boys ( well, mostly George) cleaned out a big wood/brick mess in the very back and made a darling brick path. I am beginning to see that there *could* be hope for a lovely landscape in our backyard. Someday.
One of my favorite things. ..my triple stroller. Yay!
What will we do this week. . .Naomi had a game last night which they tied. It was a tough team and a very exciting game. Al is taking me out to dinner for Mother's Day tonight. grin! Perhaps a party this weekend, which means lots of cooking, cleaning and shopping. Am I up for it? ;) Need to find some items to donate for a team fundraiser. I can't think of anything we don't use besides clothes. I suppose I should be proud of that.
The finished product.
Dylan wrote me one of his darling poems.
The new stroller. I've been looking for one for years and Neana finally happened upon it.
Digging in!
My dee-licious meal by Chef Zak. Chicken and shrimp Marsala, cesear salad and stuffed mushrooms.
Naomi made me a photo collage with all the kids wearing this t-shirt. I LOVE IT!!!
Prom flowers.
Getting to visit with papa, meemaw and Nan again!
Manny had his fancy church clothes on but the minute we came home he threw on his "Larry Boy" shirt over them. :)
Brotherly love.
I am thankful for. . .nice days in May to go bike riding. Not too hot. Not too chilly. I got the bike trailer out yesterday and cleaned it up in order to take a bike ride with George and Jed ( in tow) to the library while the rest of the family was watching the big game. ( You can tell the sports fans at our house....we took off on bikes & Noah went to the movies). It's always easier to justify a bike ride when you can take a little or two along with you.
From the schoolroom. . ...the school year is really winding down. Last week was the last of the high school classes, this week, catechism will be over.
From the kitchen .....Tim smoked some salmon for the first time in a llooonngg time. It was yummy, but I think we decided to try and brine it first next time. I made shepherds pie for the first time ever last week. I liked it, but it had mixed reviews from the rest. I keep finding these gorgeous, huge mushrooms at the fruit market, so stuffed mushrooms have been a hit. I found a recipe with turkey bacon and spinach....ooo la la!
A funny; I tried to make homemade cupcakes yesterday, as Manny saw some Sesame Street ones while I was browsing Allrecipes ( some parents have to be careful that something tawdry will come up while surfing the web with a child on their lap, I have to be careful they don't see some crazy cupcake recipe!)
However, since I am nearly now blind, and forget to use my reading glasses, I used the 1/ 3 cup instead of the 1/2 cup for several ingredients. Both Tim and Al came to me raving about the "awesome muffins" I made. Well, at least they weren't a total fail.
I am wearing . . .really, who cares? This is something I need to delete from this list. :) Maybe I would find it interesting 10 years from now.
I am creating . . ..I actually sewed a bit yesterday. Covered a down blanket and hemmed a dress.
I am reading and watching . . .Mary Lincoln, A Life & The Reluctant Empress
Watched: The Lost Prince
This is another BBC winner. The main story is interesting ( the 6th son of King George V had epilepsy and was sequestered away from the public) but the setting of pre-World War I and the start of it is almost even more fascinating. Excellent acting, gorgeous costumes, terrific cinemetography. I see why it won an Emmy.
I am hearing . . .Gabriella singing "Daddy love! Daddy love!"
Around the house. . .no comment. I don't think it was a good idea to go camping last week AND try and switch out the warm weather-cold weather clothes. ;) I think I finally found the correct adhesive for the tiles on my front porch. We'll see once the rain hits.
Cute kid saying of the week:
Manny: "I am going to help Gabriella with this egg because she is my princess."
Checking out a cut on my leg:
"That is one di-guting boo boo!"
One of my favorite things. ..finding a size 8 that fits! It's pretty much a freak of nature, but it always reminds me of past thinner days. ;)
What will we do this week. . .3 soccer games for Naomi this week and it looks like the weather might co-operate ( she had three last week, including a make up game and played exactly NONE because of rain, soggy fields ;) Last catechism class, which I may let them skip since it is just a party.
We are all chuckling about Thursday:
Dyl is going to the prom ( and wants a corsage from the resident floral designer;), Zak is flying in, the kids have art class, which I am chaperoning, the littles are going to Johannes ( thank you Johanne!) Noah has a dr appt, and thankfully, Naomi's practice got cancelled!
Al's birthday is Friday and Mother's Day is Sunday. I already got an invite to go out to dinner from my very thoughtful oldest son. ;) Saturday, Mother's day lunch with nan and meemaw :)
