Happy (Belated) 15th Birthday, Hannah!

Having Too Much Fun...

First tiny braid.

Two aunties had too much fun with the little chunk. (The hairstyle didn't stay in her hair very long. =)

Happy Veteran's Day!

Oregon

Since we now live in Oregon, we need to know a little more about out home state. =)

Nickname - the Beaver State

State Flower - Oregon Grape

State Fish - Chinook Salmon

State bird - Western Meadowlark

State Tree - Douglas Fur

Motto - Alis volat Propriis (She Flies with her Own Wings)

Oregon, My Oregon

Land of the empire builders, land of the golden west;

Conquered and held by free men, fairest and the best;

On-ward, upward ever, forward and on and on;

Hail to thee, land of the heroes, my Oregon.

Land of rose and sunshine, land of summer breeze;

Laden with health and vigor, fresh from the western seas.

Blest by the blood of martyrs, land of the setting sun;

Hail to thee, land of promise, my Oregon

The Black Trap

There is a black box that sits innocently on a desk in Momma and Daddy's room. When I pass by, this trap waves its bait. "There are unopened emails in your inbox!" I sniff at the bait. It smells good. I stick my hand in the trap. I type the pass word, open Google Chrome, open my email and type my email and password. "I'll just check my email. I won't reply to any emails, I won't check Buzz, I'll check read the emails, then get off." I think. My email opens up and there are four deliciously bold, white emails. I click on the first. "Ah, a survey! I love surveys!" I read through it and several more like it since several of my friends have filled it out. Then, I fill it out. Next, Krista wrote me a long email, so I write an equally long one back. And I read the other emails and reply to them. And I check Buzz, then all the blogs, and post on my own. And, by that time, it's been two hours!!! It's then that I jump off and vow never to spend that much time stuck in that trap again! But, it happens the next day, and the next.

In fact it's happening to me RIGHT NOW!!! I NEED TO GET OFF THIS TRAP!

Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson

I've been having fun trying out different tips and ideas from "Home Comforts". It's a hard book to read through, but I'm so glad that I am taking the time to do so! I'm now about 2/3 of the way through. I've learned a lot about food, food safety, cleaning the kitchen/washing dishes, cloth, how to launder practically everything, stains and how to remove them, cleanliness, how to dust, vacuum, sweep, mop, clean anything, and so much more! This is a GREAT book for all homemakers!

Here are a couple ideas I've tried -

I mopped the kitchen floor on my hands and knees. The pros - the floor gets way cleaner and it's great exercise! The cons - "homemaker's knee" and it takes a bit longer than mopping with a mop. It's not something that I'll want to do every day of even every week. Just when the floors are really dirty. =)

To get rid of mineral build-up around faucets - wrap a rag soaked in vinegar around the faucet handles and let sit for about an hour. It worked moderately well, taking care of two smaller stains, but not the stubborn one. =/

I've also improved my sweeping and mopping, washing dishes, and how I handle chemicals like ammonia and bleach, changed my views about vinegar and soda, and I've got some great ideas about how to launder, what soaps and chemicals, etc.

Although the book looks daunting, being about three inches thick, it's definitely worth your time! It is a great reference book, too. Every homemaker should own one! (Thank you so much for giving it to me, Weese family!!)

-Susi

Eating while Working on the House

In the midst of paint, putty, caulk, etc., Laura and Bekah cooked baked sweet potatoes and we sat around the pan, eating like Indians. Bittersweet memories. =)

The Lennon Sisters

Growing up, Rebekah, Susanna, and I loved watching and pretending we were the Lennon sisters.

These are a couple of our favorites... enjoy!

The Cats

Hensie and Susi

It's windy outside!!