Week of May 9th, 2010

Revisiting my florist days by making prom corsages :)G with a "leftover" bouquet. What handsome fellas!G in one of her fashion ensembles :)I bet not everyone has a jug of milk, a boogy board and an old game controller in their sandbox!

Noah and VictoriaAnne and Dyl

Outside my window: Sunny but cool. What happened to our warm weather?! (Ditto!)

I am thinking --  it was a nice couple weeks with Tim working at home....he's off again!

From the schoolroom: Just trying to slog through our last few lessons. George gives me a *how many days of school left* update everyday :)

From the kitchen: I made some scones for the first time in a long time. I made them for some appreciation gifts, but the kids LOVED the leftovers. I guess we should add them as a regular feature on the V menu!
I am reading and watching:
I actually finished "Ruby's Spoon" by Anna Lawerence Petroni. Another first time author, the lady has skills :) It was a very clever tale and so well written. Probably one of my top 10 reads for the year. I always appreciate a unique story because there are so many that follow a well-used theme. 

Watched: 

The Stoning of Soyara M

Well, I don't know exactly what compelled me to watch this except there was quite a *buzz* about it. I am a HUGE wimp when it comes to films with any sort of violence or cruelty in it.  Not that the violence was gratuitous in this, it was 100% there to make a point. All in all I think it is one of those films you have to watch from time to time.   We think we have such huge, despairing problems in our American culture.....forgetting the horrors in many others. I am motivated to read the book.

Around the house: I think perhaps I may have got a handle on our laundry situation. It gets so backed up because of the slowness of the dryer. Gah! I might really push for the extra dryer in our garage to be hooked up somehow. Two would make a huge difference!

What we will do this week:    Soccer, soccer and rugby tournament. George and Noah were goal scorers this week! Hopefully a visit to the zoo and our R.O kin :) 

Mother's Day, 2010

Al turned 23!

Me with my progeny :)Silly, silly.....

4 generations on Mother's Day. Nan, Mee maw, me,  Naomi and G

Nan with her Vrazo "Greats"Jed gathering rhubarb for......strawberry-rhubarb jam!

Farmer Tim!Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers! Too bad they are here to enjoy for such a short time!

Outside my window: Sunny but cool. What happened to our warm weather?!

I am thinking --  about how to arrange the week. Haven't come up with much of a plan as yet.

From the schoolroom: Onward and upward.....catechism is over, last day of co-op classes this week, finals for the college kids.  The year is really winding down! 

From the kitchen: Strawberry-rhubarb jam. Yum! The boys made smoked ribs and brisket for mother's day. The first time we have ever smoked meat ( fish, yes) and it was a brilliant success!
I am reading and watching:
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne 

It seems like I have to read a new parenting book every so often to keep the memento going. This one has many golden nuggets in it. I was very intrigued by his theory that all children ( and people) have "quirks" but "quirks" turn into disorders when there is too much stress in a child's life. He has observed that many children in our American society show "disorders" that children who have lived through traumatic wars, displacement, etc in other, less prosperous and stable (?) countries have.  All in all an interesting book so far.

Listened to:  "Loving Frank"  by Nancy Horan

The premise/subject of this book isn't all that savory, I will admit. Still it was interesting to learn more about Frank Lloyd Wright. Tim and I have a standing joke anytime we see a garishly modern, 60's type house that it is a " Frank Lloyd Wright". But I see now that despite those pseudo imitations, he did have some compelling ideas about architecture. Mostly this particular story hit me as a cautionary tale about the lies people will believe/adopt in order to absolve themselves from guilt. 

Watched: 

Vanity Fair (william Makepeace Thackery)

I have never read the book and it was a bit difficult getting into, but in the end it was worth it. I believe the book was a satire of English society at the time it was written. I'm not sure the film carried that out but it was entertaining. Natasha Little as Becky Sharp was outstanding.

Around the house: Working on the outside. Raking, weeding, and hopefully.....lawn cutting and weed whacking will be happening this week.  DITTO. We did finally find a riding lawn mower....

the weeds that need to be whacked are still neglected and growing like....well....weeds!


What we will do this week:    I've got a meeting to go to. I somehow signed on to be chairperson for a children's tent at our parish festival. I haven't a clue what I am doing, but I thought it would be a good way to serve the parish that serves us so well. And the family can be involved (look out, family!. :) PROM for Noah and Dyl.....so some corsage making will be on the docket. Noah's last rugby game.