Cowboys and Cornbread

I know it has been a long, long time since I posted any amount of photos on this blog. I intend to remedy that today. So get comfortable, grab a drink and set back for the ride.

The Sheriff and Miss Elsie work hard on the new barn for the ranch.

Nothing is quite as satisfying to a cowboy as coming home to some piping hot cornbread. 

 

  Be still my heart. 

I have been on a spray painting spree. Chalkboard paint covers so smoothly. I use the large tin to hold coffee filters and it used to be covered in a 70's baseball print. I bought it for 50 cents at Goodwill. But cover it in black chalkboard paint, add some touches with a gold paint pen and it doesn't look half bad!

My favorite shot this month. This one will be going up on my wall.
She looks so mature here, it just about make me cry.

Some of the memory work we have been reviewing before schools starts back on Thursday.

I promise she doesn't do her school work in the dark. It is just the way the lighting shot.

Elsie's expression here just about sums her up.

Ian's sleepy eyelid is very pronounced. I don't often see it in photos. Of course, he is the spitting image of his father; eyelid, birthmarks and all.

The best part of homeschooling: having them together all day. Yes, they fight A LOT, but they also spend some wonderful quality time together.

The Internet is a wonderful invention. Full of talented folks and creative ideas. Sometimes, I am overcome with awe when gazing upon the work of some artists' ingenuity and wonder from whence came the inspiration.  

For example:

1. This bodysuit

2. Because everybody needs a rusty shirt


3. These exceptionally silent singers


4. Personalized Guess Who (this one is actually brilliant)


5. This man to whom I doff my cap

6. This pancake master

7. The Price Is Right gets physical

January Menu

Because I occasionally get in a culinary rut, from time to time, if I have a particularly yummy weekly  menu, I post it on here for posterity's sake. And for my brain's sake. You see, this way I don't have to remember it.

Disclaimer: I don't have lunches listed because we eat either leftovers or pb&j. Also, in case it is too cryptic, "B" means breakfast and "S" means supper. Or it could stand for dinner, depending on where you live in the U.S.

MONDAY

B- Scrambled eggs
     Oven toast

S- Pecan Crusted Pan Fried Chicken Strips
    Roasted Carrots and Parsnips


TUESDAY

B- Healthy Morning Muffins

S- Balsamic Beef Tips
    Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
    Sweet Peas

WEDNESDAY

B- Healthy Morning Muffins

S- Chicken Wraps
     Beans and Rice

THURSDAY

B- Sweet Potato Bread from P. Allen Smith's new cookbook

S- Sweet Potato Salad

FRIDAY

B- Sweet Potato Bread

S- Butternut Risotto
     Lemony Broccoli

SATURDAY

B- Buttermilk Pancakes 
     Homemade Syrup

10 Things

1. Elsie has started referring to herself as 'Little Momma' and myself as 'Big Momma'.

2. One of my new year resolutions is to have a date every month with David. We have set aside $50 a month to make it happen. I am stoked with determination to be creative with our funds. I will tell you all about our January date after it happens.

3. The only baby gear left in our house is a toddler bed and a monitor. I think I just might break down and cry. I don't have any little babies anymore.

4. David has had his guitar for almost a year now and is greatly improving. He practices almost every day. He always amazes me with his commitment to goals and how he can learn anything he sets his mind on.

5. He has also grown his beard out fully and I can say honestly that I like it. With one caveat, that it stay groomed. I am not much into the Duck Dynasty look.

6. An acquaintance of mine told me how she reads to her kids every night. Without fail. They have read through some mighty impressive books. I think it is a wonderful concept so I am trying to start that here. We are three chapters into the unabridged Winnie-the-Pooh.

7. The holidays were nice but we all were ready to get back to school and to a routine. CC has not started yet so we are reviewing memory work like mad men. I am determined that we shall learn all the Latin for the first 12 weeks! Carpe Diem!

8. This is the time of year when we get cabin fever. It always makes me think of this.

9. A friend told me about Contra dancing here in town. I can't wait to take David!

10. I took Ian to the doctor this Wednesday. He had an ear infection and most likely the flu. Poor baby was crying and sobbing most of the first part of the week. Napping at random times. Upset over every little thing. I am glad to have my happy boy back. Ammoxicillin is a wonderful drug. 

First Steps

So here it is. 

My first photo with my new camera. 

I think I am going to have some fun with this.

(I just looked at the post on my blog and saw the uncanny resemblance in face shape between my photo over on the sidebar and her face. Pointy chin and all.)