Jam and Jelly Progress

I spent a lot of Saturday chopping strawberries and slicing peaches (but not so much that I didn't have time to spend with a friend and attend another friend's birthday party).  The fruit has been sitting in jars in the fridge for the last couple days, macerating in xylitol and vanilla (split beans with the strawberries, homemade extract with the peaches).

I also saved my peach peelings; I boiled them for about a half hour yesterday and then let them steep all night to prepare to make peach jelly.  This morning, I strained out the juice and then squeezed all the peelings in a cloth to get every bit of juice.  I have over a gallon (I think - it's in a big mixing bowl, not in a measuring cup or a pitcher).

After school today, I'll be working on my first few batches of jam.  I'm using small-batch recipes so that I don't feel overwhelmed my first time jam- and jelly-making.  I've never canned before, either, but after seeing some of the pictures on other blogs, I realized that it's not as completely complicated as I thought it would be and that I already have the big equipment.  I did invest in a six-utensil canning set, but that was only about $10.

On my radar:

1. how to make vanilla bean paste
2. how to make cola syrup with xylitol to mix with club soda for a low-cost, sugar-free soda
3. learning about aromatherapy (I'm thinking about studying chemistry with my high schoolers when they start next month as a beginning point)
4. perfecting my sugar-free (almost), grain-free chocolate chip cookie recipe (improved from Alton Brown's recipe and, really, almost there)
5. experimenting more with almond flour, coconut flour, and whey powder as a substitute for wheat flour (trying to adjust Paula Deen's peach cobbler recipe for dessert tonight; also want to work on sandwich wraps, crépes, pancakes and waffles, and English muffins to go with all this jam!)

SDG!

I'm Back!

Yes, I know it's been forever since I've posted, but I've finally gotten through a few projects and my health is improving, which means I have more energy and more brain cells to devote to writing. I'm eager to begin again.

King's Meadow's American Culture should be shipping soon! I'll be working on Antiquity, but should be able to spread the work out over a longer period, which is good for the whole family's sanity.

I've got several books to review, results of a few kitchen experiments to report on, and some other thoughts to work through in the next few months.

Today's post is short because I'm working on posting some of the kids' first composition assignments and have a house to declutter!

SDG!

Progress Report

So, since I've posted last, life here has been busy.

1) School is going great guns! For more details, check my school blog. I'll be posting soon about French and a new (to me!) organizational approach that has been working very well.

2) Work on the second semester of Christendom is progressing.

3) Still getting the house together, but it's been going well.

4) Cooking German food for the first time to prepare to celebrate Reformation Day on Sunday.

So, where should I start? Hmmm …

The house!

Our King's Meadow discussion group meets here three times each month. Usually, we start the year out with the house looking pretty good, and then it gradually goes downhill all year. What's a little more clutter among friends?

This year, I decided that I'd rather work in the opposite direction. So, we did our best to get the house presentable for the first meeting in October, and my goal is that each time we meet, the house is a little more put together, even if it's not something obvious—like straightened and reorganized cupboards. So far, the kitchen has stayed clean and the peninusla has been cleared of all the clutter that's been sitting there for who knows how long. The sideboard/hutch is fairly straightened out. I've been slowly working on clearing off the kitchen desk. Things will look a little out of place tomorrow, but that's because paint is drying on the wall below the peninsula (after years of being half-finished). And grout is drying on the facia tiles that had popped off the island in the kitchen.

Even if I only work for about ten minutes each day, I'm headed in the right direction. Line upon line, again!

I'll post about those other things as I have time.

How I Spent My Summer

Yes, it's been forever since I've posted anything ... I know ... but really, I have an excellent excuse, uh, reason.

If you look at the new King's Meadow Humanities Curriculum, you'll see how I spent the summer ... the whole summer.

This used to be called Gileskirk, but after the end of that company, and a two-year hiatus, it's back and (I think) it's better than ever. Modernity was released after only six or seven weeks' work, complete with detailed Instructor's Guide, three versions of the student syllabus, and lots of extras. The first semester of Christendom was released after about three weeks' work (non-stop, 12-16 hours in front of the computer, six days each week, and many Sunday afternoons). The full Christendom course will be released in December. American Culture will follow in June and the following year, Antiquity will be released.

So, now that I'm no longer tied to the computer, I hope to be posting more consistently. I've got lots to post about after a three month vacation from all things cooking and housewifery. My 17 yodd and I are working to replenish the stores that were depleted when I was doing no grocery shopping, the house is in serious need of organizing and deep cleaning, and school is only partially planned. One day at a time, grace upon grace, line upon line, we'll get it done. I care more about our attitudes toward one another as we get caught up than that it all happens now.

I also took some time off in July to take the train to Dallas and go to the CiRCE Conference. Wow! As always! I was privileged to be able to present a workshop at this one and I don't think I've ever been so nervous speaking publickly (I normally get enough butterflies to use, but not enough to overwhelm - this time was different). I didn't get to that many workshops this time, but the CD's arrived last week and I'll post as I listen.

We've also got some new stuff going on in school, which I'll post about on our school blog.

So, I hope this is hello, again, and I'll be seeing you!

Apologies

I need to apologize for my lack of posting lately.  Life's been busy and I haven't really had time to sit and write.

I had originally set the Constitution posts to appear every other day, but realized that was too fast.  I've slowed them down to once per week and want to take some time to go back myself and catch up on the reading and commenting.  I find I'm understanding it and remembering it better little by little than I have in the past reading it all at once.

I've got a few posts in the back of my mind that I'm mulling over, and I'd like to begin posting more about some of the money-stretching strategies we've been implementing.  I also need to finish my book list.  (We're getting ready for a re-finance appraisal on Thursday; I've been re-organizing books, along with the whole house, and will be able to finish that book list next week.)

So, thank you for your patience with me.  I hope to be back to more regular posting, soon.

Wall-E and Microwave Ovens

We bought Wall-E this week and have already watched it twice (plus we saw it when it was in theaters). I love it more each time.

The folks at Pixar continue to amaze and inspire me. The themes and visuals they included in Wall-E are a case in point. One example: Eve, which means 'mother', resembles an egg, and is made to hold and care for life. These aren't things that a child would pick up on, but Pixar's pursuit of excellence includes them.

Watching this and talking with my kids has made me think a bit about the influence of work vs. the influence of easy living on sinful man.

Even though we all love our conveniences, I wonder how many of them are actually good for us? Case in point: our microwave oven blew out about a month ago. We're saving for other things that are more important, so we haven't replaced it yet. Thus, we're cooking 'on the hob', as they say in England, and in the oven and on the grill.

I'm surprised that I'm not feeling more rushed, even with the lack of time savings the microwave usually bestows; the extra steps involved and the extra time cooking currently involves aren't making us feel more hurried. If anything, life seems to be slowing down.

Our stove timer, unlike our microwave timer, beeps just twice before it turns off, so I can't go into another room without the very real risk of burning something because I don't hear the timer. So now, I stand at the stove, stirring as needed, wash a few dishes, empty the dishwasher, wipe a counter, or work on whatever sewing project is laid out on the peninsula, while possibly enjoying a glass of wine while I wait. Yet, how often have I stood impatiently watching the microwave, counting down the seconds until the food is hot? There really isn't time to do anything else while the microwave is working.

Food now isn't just something to pop into the microwave and then pop into our mouths before charging onto whatever else we're doing. We're eating breakfast and lunch together more than we used to and taking more time over it. With the microwave working, if someone came late, it was so easy to re-warm food that had grown cold. But now, 'get it while it's hot' means something.

I'm in no hurry to replace the microwave. The only thing I miss is microwave popcorn, but maybe that'll change when I get out our long-unused popcorn popper and we get the fun of seeing the corn burst into all its fluffiness through the clear dome of the popper and then enjoy something that took more effort to prepare than simply throwing a bag into the microwave and pressing a button.

SDG!

Life Continues

The wedding was beautiful!  Anna was a stunning bride.  There were a few stories that made the day charming (not too embarrassing!), which I'll relate later.

I finished my dress at 2:00 on Saturday morning.  Then I had to get up at 4:00 on Saturday morning to get ready.  (Our new family rule: no weddings before 11:00 a.m.)

Drew and Anna are honeymooning at a timeshare at Big Bear Lake in California.  (I can finally let that cat out of the bag!)

We're getting back into a normal routine; or at least, we're trying to figure out what normal is now.  I scaled back the younger kids' school work this week and next week is a planned Sabbath week.  Since we started so early in August, I can take it easy this week and not feel like we'll be working all next summer to catch up.  

I'm still pretty tired, but I don't want to take afternoon naps and then not be able to sleep at night, thereby throwing off my circadian rhythms.  So it's early to bed, not so early to rise for awhile until I regroup.

Catching up on cooking, cleaning, and organizing the house.  And planning my next sewing projects: the Hawaiian shirt Drew wanted for his birthday in June (he's so patient!); a couple of cotton day dresses from Eliza and Melody's wedding dress patterns; a lambswool and cashmere blend, navy blue, winter shawl (beautiful and warm!); a reversible brown with polka dots wool jacket with removable long sleeves; jammies; a regency gown for Judith (which she'll help make - home ec. dontcha know?); and maybe one for me, too!  (The Pride and Prejudice Ball is coming up soon! - ignore the weird dimensions on the website - it's pretty cool even with the weirdness!)

I posted a link in the sidebar to my formerly called .mac, now MobileMe (hate that name! - how narcissistic can I get?) Photo Gallery.  I posted some of my rose and miscellaneous flower photos.  I'll let you know when I've got wedding pictures posted.

I guess that's it for now.  I've got some boxes to sort through.

SDG!

Progress

• All muslins are made.
• Only 3 more to fit: one of them being mine, which my mom will help me with tomorrow; one of them I'm trying to arrange a time to meet with the attendant; and the third is on its way to Dallas for Drew the Lesser's sister to try on, mark up, and mail back.
• Judith cut out and sewed her second muslin today - there were so many piddly adjustments to hers that I felt like we needed another just to be sure, and I'm glad we did as we discovered that she needs separate right and left back pieces because of her posture, which we're now working on. Cool thing: her sewing ability and her confidence are improving.
• All the lining fabrics have been pre-treated and pressed.
• Three patterns have received final alterations - I'll start cutting out these linings tomorrow.
• Still have to figure out where the pink embellishments will go on 5 of the dresses; although I had a good idea for Bonnie's which she's contemplating (can you say 'godets'?).
• Have to research and choose the embroidery pattern for Eliza's flower girl dress. I think it's time for a trip to Martha Pullen's website.
• Must purchase silk thread (for the silks) and cotton thread (for the rayon linings).
  

~~~~~
And, although the website isn't complete yet, it's up!

Little snag in the invitations, but Plan B seems to be working, and they should be ready to mail next week.

SDG!!!

Catching Up

Attendants' Dress Progress:

patterns all traced with preliminary alterations: check
all bodices cut out of muslin: check
2 muslins made and ready to try on this morning after church: check
all but the green silk pre-treated and pressed: check

This afternoon, I'll work on a few more of the toiles, especially that of Drew the Lesser's sister who lives in Dallas - I need to mail hers out tomorrow so she can try it on, mark it up, and send it back. I might even have time early in the week to make Drew's birthday Hawaiian shirt - only 2 months late!

School Plans:

I was going to start school on the twelfth (the eleventh is the first day of the government schools' new year and, after working all summer, we take that day and have a 'First Day of Public School, Aren't We Glad We Homeschool?' day off to watch movies, eat treats, play games, and read aloud together), but I've decided that, other than our time together (Matins? Lauds? still not sure what to call it - 'Morning Time' doesn't work because sometimes it happens in the afternoon!), the kids will work independently to give me time for wedding sewing.

Lately for our time together (whatever it'll one day be called) we've been…
reading through II Corinthians
reading The Gospel Primer
memorizing the books of the NT, with review of OT books once or twice each week
learning 'God Moves in a Mysterious Way' by Cowper, alternating with review of 'O Wondrous Love'
learning 'Paul Revere's Ride', reviewing 'Casey at the Bat' once each week
reading a chapter or two of Northanger Abbey

Jared's Plans:

He's in the midst of applying to Patrick Henry College. In Houston, spoke with Gene Edward Veith, provost of PHC, and he was so encouraging about Jared's application. We don't know what the financial situation will look like, but we're thinking Jared will complete his first year through PHC's distance learning option - we have to go with whichever option is less expensive. And, starting tomorrow, he has a job with an inventory company.

Been thinking lots about CiRCE, but haven't had time to put fingers to keyboard, yet.

SDG!

Catching Up

Okay, can you say, 'busy'? I would, but I haven't had time to. ;-D

1) I returned Sunday evening from the 2008 CiRCE Conference in Houston. Wow! The laughter! (The Wild Bunch was in top form!) The fellowship! The Macy's run! The stimulating discussions! The challenging teaching! It was glorious! I have lots to blog about as I think out loud through my notes and the ClassEd discussions have already begun.

2) I also have 10 dresses to make by the end of August for Anna's mid-September wedding. The first batch of silks arrived today - they're stunning! I was able to play around with Rebekah's cornflower dupioni and tried the triple stacked pleat that I want to put in the back of my skirt. I held it together and wrapped the fabric around Rebekah and had her walk down the hall. Wow!!! It's so beautiful!!! I'm also in love with the silk georgette! It flutters and flows through the air. {contented sigh}

3) I came home from CiRCE with 32 lbs of Tapestry of Grace. (Thanks, again, Debra!) I've listened to one GK lecture (complete with notes and discussion questions), and am half-way through the second. Our GK spine arrived today and I'm eager to begin reading it. I've also started One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, the only book on our list that I haven't yet read. So, it's time to begin planning school. {whew! I'm tired just reading about all that!}

I'll try to keep you up to date, and I hope to make time to blog my way through my notes from the conference, but it'll take time. I'd like to begin working on that soon, but it may need to wait until mid-September.

SDG!!!

Wedding Progress

I can't reveal details (they're not mine to reveal), but I can post progress.

Colors have been chosen, as have attendants.

Anna and Drew are still working on a venue and a date. Our church is very busy in September and we're still not sure if they can shoehorn in another wedding. Anna's birthday is in October and she doesn't want her birthday and her anniversary to be that close together. They both think that November is too long to wait.

Anna's friend is going to coordinate the wedding.

Another friend has a business designing invitations, and a friend of Drew's mom is going to print the invitations, the wedding programs, and provide reception favors.

They're setting up an informational website that will also act as their clearing house for R.S.V.P.'s.

We've begun looking at wedding gowns online, just to get ideas.
~~~~~
I was in Barnes and Noble the other night and, on a lark, stopped to look at the wedding planners. Oh, my. The things that our culture thinks are necessary for a wedding are mind-blowing. The lists I looked at included, among other things and with no indication that they might be optional, a professional make-up artist, a professional hair stylist, manicures and pedicures for the entire bridal party, and a professional calligrapher to address the invitations.

However, in the books I browsed through, there was no mention of pre-marital counselling. We as a culture seem to put too much emphasis on making the wedding a big deal, and not nearly enough on making the marriage a big deal. I'm thankful the kids aren't just thinking of the big day, but beyond.

SDG!

Busy Day

Joel needs a hair cut.

I want to finish my stays.

I want to finish fitting the bodice of my dress so I can cut out the fabric.

Need to straighten the kitchen to prepare to paint the kitchen this weekend.

Jared's graduation announcements are ready to be addressed and need to go out within the next few days.

Judith's dress needs to be measured, a mock-up of the bodice needs to be made, and then we need to cut it out so she can start sewing.

Rebekah and Ben haven't finished their bathrobes yet. Eliza is almost finished with her sleeves and then I'll take a picture of the two girls in them.

All that to say that we have lots going on and I don't have time to post anything thoughtful.

SDG!

Sewing!

I've been sewing lately! I gave it up about six years ago - I couldn't make anything fit and my cheap sewing machine had had it. I was able to purchase a new machine recently (Viking's Scandinavia 400, which is the latest incarnation of the belovèd Rose and which soon will no longer be made in Sweden). It sews and embroiders!

I also still have the wonderful black Singer Model 301 my dmil gave me when we moved to Arizona 21 years ago and it still works great! The small Kenmore machine we bought Judith for Christmas isn't working. It would cost as much to fix it as it originally cost, so instead we bought the girls a low-end Singer. It has lots more stitches than the Kenmore, but not as much precision as the Scandinavia in being able to recreate specific combinations of stitch-length and width. Fortunately, all the specialty presser feet that I used with the old Brother machine fit on the new Singer, expanding its capabilities quite a bit. It'll be a good learning machine, along with the 301.

I'll try to load pictures of everything listed, but for now, descriptions will have to do. Here's what I've been able to complete so far:

1. A bathrobe, originally meant for sale on Etsy, but instead given to Melody and Eliza's friend, Rylie, for her 8th birthday. She just loved it - pale pink with darker pink roses and buds, coordinating pink facings (on the outside) that I ran through a couple of the fancy stitches on my machine.

2. A bathrobe for Melody - pink with a musical score printed all over it. Perfect for this little girl.

3. A purse, complete with specially-measured, inside pockets for the items I carry most.

4. A beautiful, small backpack that I'm looking forward to filling with books and journals!

5. I finished my part of Eliza's blue dolphin bathrobe - she sewed a few of the easier seams; we had to put the foot pedal on a thick book so she could reach it! She's been begging me to teach her to hand sew and so she's hemming the sleeves by hand. She's doing an excellent job for an almost 7 yo who hasn't really sewn before. She wore out about 3/4 through the first sleeve and asked me to finish it, but I'm not going to. I'm not so mean as to make her do it all in one sitting, but I am mean enough to make her complete the job she started. Besides, it gets easier with practice.

I'm currently working on a blouse that I hope to get done by Gileskirk on Friday, and a set of Regency short stays from Sensibility Patterns. I'm almost out of muslin, but once I get some more we'll begin working on dresses for everyone for Jared's graduation.

Judith, Rebekah, and Benjamin are also making summer bathrobes (Ben wanted a camo robe and is going to change the pocket style so it's more manly), but haven't been very diligent and so they're not finished yet, but I hope to get on them about it this afternoon.

I've been learning lots and will post a list of the books that have been most helpful.

Well, it's time to go exercise!

SDG!

Catching Up…Nah

Okay, I know it's been six weeks since I've posted. Life has been going by at light speed. I've sat down a few times and tried to write a quick summary, but don't have time to write something short and too much is going on. I'll try to post about things as I have time, but no promises.

So, here's a list of what we've got going on for the rest of the month:

* Jared's high school commencement, complete with out-of-town guests (but not houseguests) and a celebratory dinner the evening after the state homeschool graduation ceremony

* Printing, addressing, and mailing the announcements for said graduate - I'll buy the paper this afternoon

* My mom is moving across the country diagonally, from northeast to southwest, to be closer to us

* My uncle is driving out with her, so I get to spend some time with him

* Anna leaves soon for New Attitude

* Anna's beau (Drew, the Lesser - my Drew is 'the Greater') will be in town the week before and the week after NA

* Still making arrangements for CiRCE in July (waiting for my roommate to make her final arrangements first as she is coming from much farther away and has some issues that need to be taken care of first)

* Finishing up our humanities discussion group for the year with a lunch out to celebrate a great year of learning

* A luncheon for the ladies at church that I'd hoped to finish sewing a new dress for, but alas, it won't even be started until after the luncheon

* Lots of sewing projects, a couple of which are almost finished (I'll try to post pictures when they're done)

* Beginning to teach Judith, Rebekah, Melody, Elizabeth, and Benjamin to sew (Benjamin asked so he could make a camo bathrobe)

* Curriculum research for next year's history, French, and possibly adding in some classes to our humanities co-op

Add to all that dentist appointments (okay, one recent thing is I had a tooth pulled and the dental implant process started - I'll have my smile back, soon!), still pushing through school, and small things like cooking and laundry and maybe you'll understand.

I 'met' one of my readers on an online sewing forum recently. She recognized me and introduced herself. I must admit she was a prompt for this post.

Well, the oral surgeon is waiting. And then to the paper store, and then the fabric store for a couple of buckles I need for a purse/backpack I've almost finished.

SDG!