30 day laundry challenge

For Mother's Day, my husband made me a clothesline.  Not just like any other clothesline you might see.  Well actually we have seen these before.  The Amish have them, and it is where he got his inspiration.  One day when we were traveling through Wisconsin, I snapped a few pictures and pointed out how fun a giant clothesline might be. 



The Amish Clothesline

This got the wheels spinning, and he did some investigating, until he found exactly what we were looking for.  He ordered all the parts from Do it Best.  We purchased the 100 foot clothesline for our family of 7.  It is a pulley system and stands about 12 to 16 ft above ground. 







My 100 ft. clothesline

The kids were all so enthusiastic about it, they have been arguing over who gets to hang the clothes and take them down, so we just did one load right after another.   Today, I don't even have one load of laundry left to do.  I can't tell you the last time that happened!  I'm sure the excitement of "helping" mom will wear off and then I will get to enjoy it myself.

My husband built a post a few feet into our deck and placed another post at the end of our property line.  I can hang all the clothes, right there from the deck.  It's very convenient.



So, to get back to the 30 day laundry challenge.  For 30 days, I will not be using my dryer, unless I absolutely have to, if it's raining all day.  I am trying this for 2 reasons:  #1  I want to see how this will effect my electric bill.  When I got to thinking about it, I run the dryer 3-4 hours a day and most of the time, an extra load at night.    #2  It will be better on our clothes and who doesn't love the smell of fresh laundry from the line.   I figure after 30 days, I will have formed a habit, and it won't feel so time consuming.  Besides, there is something therapeutic about it.  I do enjoy going out in the morning with a fresh load of laundry and listening to the birds sing and feeling the crisp morning air... it's a beautiful start to the day!  So if you have a clothesline and never use it, try it out again.  If you don't have one, think about investing in one.  I think you'll enjoy it! 

From my laundry room to yours....

♥  Shannon

Mothers Day Weekend 2012

Where to even begin... I am SO blessed!  What a beautiful weekend with my family.  Saturday the girls and I went to a mother daughter tea, at our church.  I haven't been to a mother daughter event in years.  In fact, this was the first time I was able to take all 3 of my girls.  Last time, my youngest wasn't even born!  It was a beautiful luncheon filled with delicate tea cups and fresh cut flowers.  All things girly and dainty. 

My daughter made some delicious chocolate cupcakes to take along.  I made some chicken salad sandwiches, and some vegetable dip to go along with fresh radishes. 

This picture makes me hungry for chocolate :)  I had a wonderful time with just my girls and we made memories to last a life time.  They are growing up so fast, so I cherish these times spent with them.

Sunday was a great day as well.  We started our day with a Mothers day breakfast at church.  I had a wonderful time visiting with all the other mom's as our children and husbands did all the work of making, serving and cleaning up!  It was great!!  After church my husband and kids all pitched in to help get the rest of the garden tilled and planted for me.  That was, to me, the perfect gift.  The weather was absolutely beautiful, and so spending the afternoon outdoors, working together on the garden, was just what this mom wanted.

Max and me with a few left over tomato and pepper plants, that we delivered to some friends from church. 

My husband tilled the rest of the garden, so we were able to plant pumpkins and corn. The kids all had a part it helping out.

When we all work together, it doesn't take long to accomplish the task at hand.  This was one of the best Mother's Day's, I can remember, because my children are getting older, and so they were taking care of me today.  When they were all babies and toddlers, Mothers Day was just another day for me to take care of them.  Feed them, change diapers, do more laundry and dishes, but today was different.  The older they get the more fun we have together.  I am blessed beyond measure to be their mother!
 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

♥  Shannon



The view from my house

I know, I posted earlier today about our busy week, but I couldn't help but do another post.  The weather is absolutely gorgeous today!  I have spent the morning outside with the kids.  There will be plenty of rainy days for school.  We planted 22 tomato plants, 22 pepper plants, and I still have half a flat left of each.  Like usual my husband went overboard!  I also mowed all 4 acres.  I like to have that done before the weekend, so I can enjoy time with the family and my husband has time to work on his projects.

Here is a glimpse of what I observed while mowing... (my daughter had the camera outside which is typical of her, and I borrowed it :)

My two babies... who doesn't love a tree swing!

The Farmer's cow's grazing

My rose bushes in full bloom

Mama and her babies

Clusters on my grape vines!!

My beautifully, talented daughter.



Who doesn't love a fresh cut lawn??!!


Gotta love country living!!

♥  Shannon

Busy Bee

It has been a busy, busy week, here at our house!  With the end of the school year creeping up on us, we are finishing up with our AWANA and violin lessons for the semester.  With that brings award ceremonies and recitals.  Along with that we had our first farmers market.

We were able to take lettuce, spinach and radishes from the garden.  With the warmer weather this spring, I have an earlier crop then usual.  I planted some Caesar lettuce yesterday and will plant more radishes today.  Looking forward to this longer season!

The boys holding down the fort...  The market had a very slow turnout, but it was only the first week. I sold quite a few radishes, but still have more then enough at home! We are holding out for the next few weeks as word gets around town and the weather warms up a bit.

The cutest little stand, I ever did see :)  The girls made hats for girls and dolls and were successful with one sale, even though turnout was low! 

We enjoyed visiting with the locals, and the girls got a lesson in spinning wool.  We would love to get sheep in the near future, so this was great!  Now, even more I am on the look out for a spinning wheel!

We went straight from the farmers marker to the AWANA awards ceremony, where all the kids received awards for finishing their books.  My little helper even received a trophy, for clubber of the year, for 1st grade!

I love AWANA and what it represents.  The kids learn so many Bible verses, books of the Bible, and learn how to study the Bible at such a young age.  I believe these lessons and verses will always be hidden in their hearts for the rest of their lives.  There is nothing more important, I can teach my children, then to hide God's word in their heart!  

Lastly, we had our violin recital last night.  It was wonderful.  The kids all did great.  I have no photos, only very long video clips ;)  I am so proud of all of them for all the hard work they put into their songs, and it showed.   So this mom is tired, but the week is not quite over.  Tomorrow we have 4H meetings, soccer games, and a mother daughter tea at church!  Looking forward to a fun filled Mothers Day weekend!

♥  Shannon

Preparing our hearts and homes for Sunday

Sunday, is my new favorite day of the week!  It's one day out of the week we get to slow down, worship with other believers, and spend time with family and friends.  I love going to church with my family.  There is something so intimate about spending time studying the Bible, and worshiping together with songs of praise and prayer with my family.   In fact I look forward to it more now, then I did a few years ago.

 I use to rush around Sunday morning, trying to get everyone ready.  Trying to find matches to socks,  looking for hair bows and tights, throwing all the dirty breakfast dishes in the sink and heading out the door.  By the time we got home from church, the kitchen was a mess, lunch wasn't prepared and the kids were hungry and tired!  I felt like going to church was a chore and almost dreaded it.   Then I heard a sermon about preparing our hearts for Sunday... He went on to say, it started with our homes.  We need to start preparing on Saturday, so we can clear our minds and hearts and be ready to worship in church without distractions.  This really got to me, and I realized I was going about it all wrong.  It made so much sense, why hadn't I taken these extra steps to prepare my home for Sunday?  Sure life is easier now, with my baby being 5 and my oldest almost a teenager.  They can get their own breakfast, dress themselves and almost fix their own hair.  Mothers with lots of little children at home, it does get easier!! 

Here are a few ways, we prepare on Saturday, so we can enjoy a more worship filled, relaxed Sunday as a family:

Saturday evening all the "little" kids must take their bath or shower.  There is no time for mom or dad to give baths on Sunday morning.  I like to pick out clothes the night before, but I cannot lie, this doesn't always happen.  My girls usually have an idea what they are going to wear the night before, especially if they are doing special music that week, and the boys, lets face it, they don't really care what they wear.   

I always make my food for Sunday's lunch on Saturday.  Usually my husband grills, and he makes extra for the week, like chicken for salads.

This week he made his famous BBQ ribs.  I prepared a coleslaw and homemade bread to go along with his ribs and we were all set.  The ribs will go in the crock pot on warm, before church and when we arrive home the house smells divine, and all I have to do is pull out the salad and slice the bread!  This, by the way, is our most favorite family Sunday meal!!

Coleslaw recipe, see below

 We decided last minute to have some friends over for Sunday lunch, but there were no worries, because the food was already prepared.  Okay, we did have to do some additional dusting and vacuuming, but other then that, we were ready.  I also like to set my table Saturday evening, then when we arrive home from church, all we have to do is sit down and eat.

Lastly, after breakfast, Sunday morning, the girls are responsible for emptying the dishwasher of all the clean dishes.  This way, when lunch is over, the boys (they usually do Sunday dishes), can load up all the dirty dishes right away and kitchen clean up goes pretty quick.  This leaves our afternoons open for relaxing and enjoying time together as a family after a busy week of work and home school.  Today, after our friends left, we headed out to the State Park for some fishing.

She was the only one to catch a fish and she was pretty happy!  If this is how we get to spend our Sunday afternoons, then preparing ahead of time is definitely worth the while!  From my home to yours...

♥ Shannon

Creamy Coleslaw Recipe
1 whole Head of cabbage
half of one onion diced (use red or yellow depending on how strong you like it)
4 large carrots peeled and diced
5 sliced radish's  (because they are in season and I have them in the garden)  optional

Creamy Dressing (I put a few recipes together and came up with this delicious creamy mix)
1 1/2 cup of mayo
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of sour cream
1-2 tbsp of white vinegar (to taste)

Chop cabbage, rinse and drain.  In large bowl combine cabbage, onion, carrots, and radish's.  In seperate bowl mix dressing together and add to veggie mix.  Mix well, salt and pepper. Place in fridge for 2 hrs, before serving.  Tastes best if you let set in fridge overnight.

Friday Favorites

Before I start with my favorites, I wanted to share this pic... aren't they pretty?  Radish's picked fresh just a while ago.  I have more then enough, still in the garden, so I will pick more and take them to the farmers market next week.  I added some to my coleslaw last week and it added a delicious punch to the salad. 

Moving on... I would like to share some of my favorite things every Friday.  Items I use around my home, that are helpful, functional and make everything just a little more fun!  Today I'm going to share my favorite canisters from Target. 

I love these large glass canisters.  They hold a nice, large amount, so I am not running out every other day.  I buy most of my baking items in bulk, either from Sam's Club or Costco.  I just keep refilling the canisters as I need to.  I keep four, out on my counter top at all times.  Two of my girls like to cook, so this makes it a lot more convenient.   My husband likes to be in the kitchen on the weekends, and this way, he can find everything, without asking "are we out of brown sugar?"

I keep flour, brown sugar, sugar, and oatmeal in the canisters.  Looks like I could use a couple refills! 

I have found that cooking is a lot more fun, when everything has a place in the kitchen and is easily accessible for the younger kids as well.  From my kitchen to yours....

♥  Shannon

My Inspiration

My Great Grandmother crocheted this beautiful table cloth.  I love all the details.  It must have taken her a while.  My grandmother remembers sitting beside her mother, helping, learning, watching...  I think these are the traditions that are lost today.  Beautiful creations, made with our hands.  It takes time, patience, hard work, diligence.  These are the qualities I am trying to instill into my children.  Now days we have to many distractions.  TV, Internet, video games, all taking the place of the lost arts, that once were so dominant in the home. 

So, we as a family are changing our ways....  My girls love to crochet, knit, loom, and have made some beautiful creations.  At Christmas time, we all made many homemade gifts for family and friends.  Why not take it a step further?  Why stop with Christmas? 

I have signed us up for the local farmers market.  Once a week, from May to October, we will be taking our creations to the local market.  We will also be making some of our special homemade recipes, such as granola, breads, and jams.  I am excited to start this adventure with the kids, and think it will be a great learning experience for us all.

American Girl size doll hats





As I look at my kitchen table, and see my great grandmothers beautiful work, I am inspired...  It is a great reminder of diligence, patience, and hard work, that we must not take for granted.  It is a great reminder of how hard our ancestors had to work every day.  May I pass this tradition on to my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, the way my great grandparents did for me.

♥ Shannon