Happy Halloween

 Cleopatra (with dental hardware, so cute!)

 Athena

 Owl

 Construction Worker

Owl Pellets

My kids have a fascination with owls.  All of them.  We get all sorts of books about owls.  The big girls love the Ga'Hoole series and the little kids love the book about Owls by Gail Gibbons.

A friend gave us some owl pellets and Lily, my flower who doesn't like getting her fingers dirty, couldn't wait to dig in!

"Mom!  I found another skull!  A femur!  Look at this bone!"

She found 3 skull in her pellet.  They were carefully washed, dried and now rest with her other treasures.

Meal Plan Monday

1. Moo Shu Pork
2. Roasted Corn Pizza w/ cilantro, lettuce and salsa
3. Lentil Soup, bread, apples
4. Deluxe Grilled Cheese, veggies w/ dip
5. Chicken Noodle Soup, pumpkin pie
6. Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread
7. Cajun Clam Chowder, bread

Breakfast recipes to try:
1. Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal
2. Sun-Dried Tomato Jam

Pumpkin Farm

Fall Trek

Each fall our family takes a day trip west to the marsh to see the geese and cranes as they fly through Wisconsin on their way south.  Our first stop is in Teresa, Wisconsin to the Widmer Cheese factory.  It is very small and unassuming, but they make the best brick and cheddar cheese!

These are the brick cheese curds (cubes).  I feel 9 again when I eat them.  We also bought a six year white cheddar that we are saving to eat with friends who are coming to visit soon.  I feed all my house guests cheese.  What can I say?  I'm a cheese-head at heart.

Our next stop is the Horicon Welcome Center.  We read the displays, watch the liberal environmentalist video clips and chat with Harold.  Harold volunteers at the Center to answer vistors questions. We see him every year.  I'm not sure why he remembers us.  Crazy couple with lots of kids?  Maybe we are memorable.

Then on to view the marsh!  There is nothing particularly special about the marsh, but it is big and there is a lot of water, reeds, muskrats and birds.  Its a marsh!

We walked on this floating boardwalk through the marsh this year.  Our family gave it mixed reviews.  I think we will return to our usual trail next year.

We made the kids pose for a picture.  They were thrilled about looking into the setting sun.

 

On the return trip we stop at an orchard to stock up on apples and cider and arrive home to a time-baked meal.  A perfect fall tradition!

2010

2009

2007/ 2007

Future Pastor?

Baby cradle lectern?  Check.

Upside down hymnal?  Check.

Marble-works microphone?  Check.

He calls this playing "Bible Class". I have seen him playing it more than once.  Melts my heart.

Meal Plan Monday

1. Cauliflower Gratin, applesauce, salad
2. Potato Leek Soup, bread
3. Chili, corn bread
4. Omelets, smoothies
5. Pulled Pork Sandwiches, coleslaw
6. Pizza
7. Roasted Chicken, potatoes, green beans, blueberry bread pudding

Meal Plan Tuesday

So, I'm a day late.  Sorry about that. One of last week's meals is repeated in this list because we have been sick and our appetites have been quiet.

1. Gyozas, stir-fried veggies
2. Reuben sandwiches, veggies and dip
3. Chicken, Broccoli, and Wild Rice Casserole (yuck!)
4. California Soup, fruit
5. Pork Chops with Bacon and Cabbage, brown rice
6. Hot Spinach Dip with bread, veggies and apples
7. Beef Roast, baked potatoes, salad

Baking to-do this week:
1. Banana Scones with Brown Sugar Glaze
2. Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

Pattern Play

I love this puzzle we have called Pattern Play. 

 Isabel has been working on the easier puzzle cards lately.  It is very challenging for her, but problem solving can never start too soon in my book.  I love all of the colorful wooden pieces.  Aren't they fabulous?

Meal Plan Monday

1. BLT's, applesauce
2. Italian Wedding Soup, bread
3. Cornish Pasties, salad
4. Baked Potatoes w/ toppings, salad
5. Gyozas (wrappers here), stir-fried veggies
6. Pizza, applesauce