Bushel And A Peck: A PECK OF LEARNING

I was raised as an only child. Like a Baboon raised in captivity, I was somewhat sheltered from the natural interaction and social functioning of, what some might consider, a typical family. Therefore over the last year and a half, Jamie (who is the second oldest of 4) has had to assure me, as I, in exasperation, peel one of our girls off the other, unwind ones fingers from the others hair, or have cause to explain how the laws of nature dictate that just because Bethany is holding a kitten by the neck, does not make it better to scream in her face and yank the kitten away from her by the rear legs, this is typical sibling behaviour. (Disclaimer: No kittens were harmed in the making of this Blog). I pray daily for patience and understanding, having found myself hurtled into a journey of self exploration that has turned up the rather embarassing realisation that, while I was not previously a yeller, nothing makes me want to bellow louder then when our girls are screaming at each other. Yet, somehow, when the voices have been toned down a decibel, or 12, and the House Issued Restraining orders have been lifted, I find my girls quietly and amicably in each others bubbles, even sharing a belly laugh or two, at jokes only they seem to understand, and the inclination of sibling love becomes apparent to me with the notion that this must be the proverbial "fun" in functional.

WALKING THE PLANK

OUR NEW KITTENS, "RUT", "TOOK" AND "LITTLE LADY"

Grace is loving school, it has opened up a whole world of new capabilities to her, she adores learning, and of course the social aspects that go along with Public School. I, on the other hand, am still adjusting to the change in authority, and after numerous notes and reprimands concerning various misdemeanours, from not having Grace's name on her coat to sending a forbidden Kinder Surprise in her lunch and walking in a "Parent Free" hallway of the school, I can say in earnest that I am glad the principal does not make home visits. While I've found myself anxiously sifting through Grace's school bag when she returns at the end of the day, searching for another dreaded note that will bring to light some other form of Policy Sabotage I've committed, Grace has taken to educating herself on the various rules I'm to adhere to, and has been able to intercept the potential for another wrap on the knuckles by informing me before I commit an offence.

AFTER DISCOURAGING HER FROM BEING A BLUGENED ZOMBIE, SHE CHOOSES TO BE A PURPLE SPARKLY FAIRY

Jamie has finished up the Potato Season and is back on the farm and waiting impatiently to see his Soy Beans combined and hauled out of the fields. We've experienced a number of set backs where this is concerned, being our first trial year with Soy Beans, we have decided to hire someone to do the combining for us to avoid making the significant investment in the machine to do it ourselves. While our neighbour has graciously agreed to take on the task, his own combining, coupled with Hurricane Sandy's offerings has caused some set backs and left us a bit downhearted at the prospect of ever getting them out of the field. The fall ploughing is also upon us and having our two main tractors laid up, one still awaiting an engine conversion and our beloved 4020 having issues above my wifely comprehension, has created many trips to retrieve various parts that will (with any luck) bring them back into working order.

Due to the weather, I've not gotten a lot of time on our horses this past week and a half, however, I am pleased with the progress Fuse has made lately in her journey to becoming a viable mount. I've accomplished a great deal in her schooling and have all but completely mounted up, resigning to the fact that playing it safe and waiting for Jamie to be home before I officially swing my leg over her, would likely be the brightest idea in the event my notion that she is ready to ride is false. I have been getting some time in the saddle with my own mare, Pixel, over the past bit, riding solely in the round pen, but accomplishing many of the goals that I have been waiting to meet with her. However, with the incredible weather that Hurricane Sandy left in her wake, I enlisted Jamie's Mom's babysitting services and hit the trails for the first time in over a year. A perfectly rejuvenating day that proved to be just what the doctor ordered for both myself and my Rusty Steed. Feeling particularly fresh, Pixel provided me with the type of ride that caused me to question both of our sanity, and served to rekindle my slightly weathered Cowgirl spirit, returning home two hours later with screaming muscles, a few saddle sores, and a luminous smile.

ME AND PIXEL ON THE TRAIL

A QUICK TREK ON THE BEACH

AND THROUGH THE WOODS

OUR TRAVELLING COMPANION, "CINAMON" OUR NEIGHBOURS HORSE FOLLOWED US FROM THE INSIDE OF HER PASTURE

OUR SOY BEANS

MAX INVESTIGATING THE BEAVER DAM

A GOOD ROLE AFTER A GREAT RIDE

RECIPE:

Halloween is Jamie's birthday, so Grace and I made him a two layer cake by glorifying a Rainbow Cake mix (his fav.), this is how we make it.

First I used a total of two mixes for this cake, below I've listed the ingredients for one mix as I mixed them separately to create the two layers.

1 Rainbow (I think they are really called Confetti) cake mix
1 cup Oil
1/2 cup Milk
1 pkg Vanilla Pudding
1/2 cup Sour Cream
3 Eggs

Mix well and bake as directed on the box. The cake will be very moist and rich with a hint of tang to add to the sweet:-)We chose to top it with a conventional Butter Cream Icing and serve it with Homemade Ice Cream, compliments of Isabels cream and Uncle Davids Ice Cream making skills.

A FACE FULL OF BLACK ICING

MORE OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO:

THE QUESTION

THE INTENTION

THE PURPOSE

A KISS FOR THE DAIRY QUEEN, WHO RECIPROCATED THE LOVE BY KNOCKING BETH DOWN WITH HER HEAD, BETH IS NO LONG ALLOWED TO KISS THE DAIRY QUEEN.

PUMPKIN PARTY.....AND SNACK TIME APPARENTLY

THE SECOND VOYAGE EVER DOWN THE HILL WITHOUT TRAINING WHEELS.....THE FIRST VOYAGE PRODUCED HIGH PITCHED SCREECHES, FOLLOWED BY A WILD BOUNCE THROUGH THE ASPARAGUS PATCH WHICH CAUSED RESOUNDING, HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER, THAT PROMPTED GRACE TO ASK IF I WAS LAUGHING OR CRYING, TO WHICH I REALLY WASN'T SURE.