Our Supper Co-op

Many of you know, I have been in a supper co-op since October of 2005. I can hardly believe it has been neary 4 years worth of great meals, and friendship on top of that. So, it works like this: We are 1 of 4 families. We cook Monday through Thursday. Each family cooks the main dish only one night and delivers that meal to the other families. For example, tonight, we are having Caribbean chicken salad.

A lot of people, when they find out about this immediately think it is a GREAT idea. Others, however, quickly say, "I could never do that". Well, I took a few pics of the meal I made a week or so ago so you could see what it looks like. It was Italian sausage, peppers and cheese grits. I made the grits in the crock pot. I did have to chop a fair amount of onions and peppers, but it was worth it.

Kelly, Kristi, Sarah and I meet once a quarter (or so) to plan all the meals. Yes, we do allow changes- even last minute ones. Not only have we been through many meals together, but we have been through births, deaths, moves and a whole host of other life events. Another plus, the week of your birthday, everyone brings you a meal, and you get the week off! Now, that's what I call a gift. On that note, I better set the table for our meal....

Lots of Fun at Little House

Things have been hopping around here. This past weekend, Clay and his 5 wonderful children came to visit while Brooke was enjoying her Mommy-cation. Ava & Jenna had SO much fun with all their relatives. I posted a pic of the BIG girls playing beach on the driveway. It is such a blessing to have them all so close in age.

We started homeschool this week. We have completed three days, and Ed said something about only 12 more years to go. Seriously, it is a lot of fun. The girls are enjoying it and so am I. Ava keeps asking if we can "do more school". To sum it up, so far so good. I really enjoyed our meet and greet with Classical Conversations (CC) last week. We will meet every Thursday morning. This is such a great thing for me- to have all that encouragement from other homeschooling moms. And, A & J's little class is so sweet.

Sometime a week or so ago, I did take the time to do some embroidery. I am learning to merge stitch files with other files and to stack embroidery objects. I hope to get back to sewing soon. Maybe, I need to go cut out my next project now.

Oh, how could I forget. Today is the 12 year anniversary of our first date. We do have a babysitter coming and dinner plans to celebrate. My how time flies, especially when you are having fun.

Something in the Coffee??

Many of you know I grew up in very rural Kentucky. I remember desperately wanting a mailbox so a mailman could deliver our mail or even just neighbors. My plan was to leave my hometown upon high school graduation and well, honestly, never move back. And, I didn't

Now, before you think it was all bad, there are somethings about living in the country that made my childhood incredibly rich. On the other hand, the city has some things to offer that just can't be had in the country. I am not what most people would call a "country girl", but I do find myself thinking lately of how nice it could be to be slightly more rural (let me define this by saying I mean 30 minutes travel time to a nice city). Before one gets too carried away, let's just take this country living thing in stages. So, this has me thinking -is it because I have taken up sewing and will be homeschooling that I am having these earthy desires? Yikes, I did read that knitting book, too.

Okay, maybe Ed has been putting something in the coffee. That must be it, right??

Food, Inc.

I went to see Food, Inc. last night. It was very thought provoking on how the food we eat in this country is controlled by a few powerful companies, politics, and of course, greed. Last year, Ed and I read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver, and we both loved it. The message from both is really the same. We, as a country, have turned a blind eye regarding where our food and how it gets to our table. I would highly recommend seeing the film and/or reading the book above. Food, Inc. will be out on DVD in October. Now, Barbara and I don't agree on religious views, but otherwise, you will find her book a great read. I think we will get back to buying more things locally. Off to the farmer's market at the zoo after Little Gym today.

Life Can Be A Rollercoaster

Since my last post, our lives have been very busy and at times, quite stressful. I feel like I am barely keeping up with the things that need to be done and making even less progress with things I want to do. But, I am encouraged by God's word to us in 1Peter 5:7- Casting all your care upon Him: for He careth for you.

So during those times of discouragement, I take great comfort in God's care for me and my family. On a lighter side, I have in the past month read two great books. One titled "The Help" which is probably the best piece of fiction I have read in a long time. Secondly, one of the funniest books I have ever read "Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter". I was laughing so hard in the hospital waiting room that I was holding back tears (for fear it would disturb the other folks in the waiting room). Now, I know what you are thinking, and I really don't think you have to be a knitter to enjoy this book. I have knitted exactly 3 things in my entire life: a hot pad for my mother when I was probably 8, and 2 scarfs while I was pregnant. If you even think you'd like to knit, I would recommend this book as a funny introduction to where you may be headed. I am trying to resist getting the second in the series something about Free Range knitting. That's all for now. Sorry so brief, but the duties of life are calling.