T Minus Six Days and Counting

Me on a bus filled with ~50 college "kids".

College Field Trip
Physical Geology Science Lab

No hubby.
No children.
No cell phone.

Four days, three nights.
Camping.
Me with "ONE bag the size of a Paper Grocery Sack" (and a sleeping bag).
...This I've GOT to see!!!

Wind River Mountain Range.
South Pass.
Lander.
Thermopolis Hot Springs.
Damn on a Fault Line.
Cody.
...Snow?
Yellowstone National Park.
...Bears?
Grand Tetons.
...Fall colors?

WHEEE!!!

Photojournalist in Your Midst

Since receiving my new camera, I've talked with the local paper's publisher, and occasionally, I've been submitting photos. Today my first photo was published:

Rock of Love

Photo courtesy of Suzy Sholar

Charlie Love presents information about the terrain surrounding the Community College on Sept. 1.

I'm just a little bit giddy about the whole thing. ;)

Photojournalism. One of the many services I offer!

Parenting with Love and Logic

Over the Summer, I've had at least four different people refer me to "Parenting with Love and Logic" by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. Some of them come from people whose accompanying testimonials / reviews are quite powerful to me. Finally, I started reading and listening to the copies from my library.

Love and Logic:

Turning Frank and Jack's world upside down!

In as little as two days, I began to notice a difference in the boys' behavior, but more importantly, I can see and feel a HUGE shift in MY attitude! I'm calm and patient like I've never been before! Granted, I haven't read through it all, and it's not fully ingrained yet, but when I start slipping back into "my old ways", is when things around the house start to disintegrate. Interestingly enough, these Times of Disintegration also seem to coincide with neglecting my food and or sleep needs. Hmmm....

Observations from First Grade - Day One

Frank, who's always been off the Growth Charts (90th%-100th+%) came home from his first day at Public School and said "there's some small kids in the class AND THEY'RE FIRST GRADERS!" He almost sounded sorry for them, and a ...little protective too.


Frank's perception is a bit skewed... he's wearing size 4.5W shoes, size L/10-12 clothes... and he's SIX!!!


The best part of school was that they "lightened my stuff", by keeping all the "donations" and his pencil box at school.


Here are a few other observations after Frank returned from his first day in First Grade (and first day as a "full-time" Public School Student!)


Frank remembers the shirt (Batman) his "New Best Buddy" was wearing, but not his name.


Frank remembers a girl he's "seen before", who's also in his class, "Lacey".


Frank only ate half his lunch, because he "sat at the wrong table" and "forgot to get in line to buy his milk".


When, at dinner time I snapped at Frank after he ask me for the third time to "guess where my socks are", he walked off mumbling to himself "okay, no guessing games with Mom!" I'd *guess* they played some guessing games at school today! ;P


Frank was tired and emotional when I picked him up (one sentence from Jack triggered tears). I think Frank had a good day, just half a lunch, no good snacks, and no quiet time, plus A LOT of new situations and stimuli, along with his more quiet, observant personality led to a brief break down.


Tonight, he was all excited to see if he could get ready for school in 15 minutes again tomorrow like he did today. I'll take that as a good sign that he enjoyed himself!


In what universe are MARSHMALLOWS considered a good idea for snack time for a classroom of six year olds?~!?!?


Perhaps the Marshmallows come from the same universe where "standing in line" means the same thing as jumping up two feet off the ground, onto the brick dais, and then pretending you are a Transformer, complete with statutory pauses.


All-in-all, I trust Frank had a good day. He didn't talk about it much, but then, he's always been quiet and observant when in new situations. He'll open up soon, and there will be no stopping him! :D

Calling all Lego Lovers!

A friend turned us onto the free monthly publication from Lego. My boys love getting their own "mail" (they happen to fall into two different age groups, so we wind up with two different magazines each month).


Every issue has at least one project to make using the "standard" Lego blocks. This month, Jack enjoyed making a dragon.


If you are interested in getting yourself (or someone else) a fun, free publication, visit the Lego Club Magazine online.

Knitting & Crochet - Finishing Spree

Today I can pat myself on the back… I went on a little finishing spree and tied the ends into twelve different projects. I did it, while babysitting, during nap time. It only took a few minutes and now a feel a fresh breath of knitting air… not to mention my knitting bags now have ROOM in them again! Yeah me!!! :D

The neighbor girl is modeling for me...


This funky little "Faux" Scarf (Bento by Berroco #255 Design)...


When I was in Pleasanton, CA, last year, I liked the pattern and the yarn. Now that I've made the scarf (eleven months later) I'm not sure why I liked it so much. Hmm. In any case, it was always destined to be a gift since it really is a lightweight little decoration, and here, in Wyoming, we need REAL scarves! If anyone is in love with this, you should let me know... perhaps you'll find it in your mailbox!

I struggled to finish this silly Superman washcloth for MONTHS!


I've decided I should just crochet my dishclothes / washclothes.

I can pump these little coasters (or dishclothes) out SO FAST ... as long as I'm crocheting them.


Actually, while I'm at this Yarn Posting, would you like to know how to make these little crocheted gems? It's really very simple, but I have written it down for you...

Quick Crocheted Coaster
With a bit of scrap cotton and a 6mm (G) hook you can quickly make a pile of coasters for yourself (or, I like to give them as a Hostess Gift).

Approximate Finished Size 4¼" Diameter

1. CH 6.
2. Connect to first chain with CH making a loop.
3. Add SC in back loop (one or two per chain as needed to keep flat).
Make six continuous rounds (like a snail).
4. CH in next SC. Cut a 2” tail and weave into back of coaster.

Here's another knitted cloth... took me FOREVER!


My favorite part of the Red, White, and Blue "Tribble" is the picture with the little hands holding it. I had Jack kneel (he had black fleece pants on today), in the sunlight, and I took a flash-free close up photo with my new camera. I think it's a nice photo! :D

Recipe - Chicken and Dumplings

Presented to you, by request of Mara Jade...

Chicken & Dumplings
Tom & Suzy, June 2004

Tired of super salty, quick-prep chicken and dumplings, my hubby and I set out to create a simple homemade version. In 2004 we came up with this, and we've been making it (to rave reviews from guests) ever since! Straight forward and simple, the trickiest part is remembering to put the flour and milk in AND remove the Bay Leaf. We hope you enjoy this "comfort food" as much as we do!

Ingredients:
1.5 lbs chicken, boneless skinless breasts, cut into one-inch cubes
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons oil

3 cups vegetable broth (or water)
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper, freshly cracked
1 bay leaf
½ onion, chopped
4 stalks celery, sliced
5 carrots, sliced
if desired, fresh chopped broccoli
if desired, fresh snipped parsley (3 Tablespoons)
if desired, frozen / fresh corn

1/3 cup flour
½ cup milk

1 package Pillsbury Grands Biscuits

Directions:
1. Heat oil in Dutch oven (or a nice big pt that you have a lid for) on medium high heat, add cubed chicken and garlic. Stir; cooking until chicken is white.
2. Add broth, bouillon, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and fresh vegetables to create a stew. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat on stew; simmer on low, covered, 30 minutes, or until chicken and vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaf from broth.
4. While stew simmers, open biscuits and set out on a plate (to rise) or make your own biscuits.
5. In separate container, mix flour and milk. After 30 minutes of simmering, whisk flour and milk into broth on stove. Stir well.
6. Add biscuits to top of stew. Cover and continue cooking on low heat 15 minutes.
7. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

Variation:
1. Make homemade or Biquick biscuits instead of canned.

Generously serves four.

As ever, I'd love to know if you make this and how you like it! :D