Easter Eggs in Simple Shades

We kept Easter egg dyeing pretty simple this year.  We used what we had in the fridge, which were mostly brown eggs from our friend's farm and a couple of ameracauna blue eggs tossed in as well.

 

We had simple, familiar techniques.  

The Wire Dipper

The Spoon

Handheld 

Here is a technique that is simple for younger children.

The Wisk

Not all of the brown eggs came out in soft, pretty colors, 

but we like the color of stone.  :)

This one is my favorite!

Simple Stripes

Taking our family portrait was NOT as simple.  

I think this picture says it all.

I hope you are having a wonderful and blessed Easter!

A Cow Says Mooove, a 'Paca Says Squeak

I woke up early for the second time this morning to a loud ruckus in the pasture.  I made it to the fence with my camera just in time to catch the big one on the hill bellowing and my fellas scampering away at the noise!  (Ha!  That shows you where my priorities are... Catch the shot for my friends first THEN address the situation)

I don't think they've seen our neighbor's cows before.  He usually keeps them in another part of his property.

It did make me laugh, but I'll have to check the direction of runoff and any potential viral problems this might cause.  I might have to move the boys to another pasture for a little while.

You might have picked up on my first sentence.  That the cows were the second morning wake-up call.  The first one was when Little Missy came diving under the covers, having a fit because a mouse was in her room and sounded very loud and really big!  THAT ended up being the 'paca boys neck wrestling in the wee hours.  I guess their squealing might sound like a squeak to sleepy little ears.

Between moos and "squeaks" I am one tired girl.  I'm feeling a need for a nap, but I have my priorities straight...share my goofy life with my friends first, THEN catch some zzzzzzzzs!

Overseeding From Missy's Point of View

Dear Friend,

Boy, do I have a tale to tell.  I was enjoying my afternoon in the front pasture when all of the sudden Mr. C  came  toward us with some odd looking contraption.  It moved FAST.  A lot faster than when he walks on his feet coming at us with those long white herding poles.

We had to move quickly to get out of the way.

I don't know what the heck that thing was on the back, but it scratched up the dirt pretty good as it passed.

We decided it was best to just get on out of there!

The next thing we knew the whole family was out tossing seed everywhere.  Whew!  I thought they had a new herding technique.  Excuse me...  I think I found a little something green here.  

I sure hope the yummy spring grass comes up soon!  Drop me a line from your pasture!


Love,
Missy

And the Winner Is?

Measuring Day

Some people compete to see who can grow the biggest pumpkins.  We keep things a bit more manageable...at least something I can carry!  My mom and son have a yearly contest growing the longest Purple Noodle Bean.  "Grammy" smashed the record last summer with 22.5 inches.

Oh, Oh!  A Smidge Longer!

Little Man has just set the new record!  This one is still growing, too.

Happy Little Man

They are also known as Chinese Red Noodle Beans. If you haven't tried them; they are stringless, very mild tasting, and obviously fun to grow.  I cut them into 2" pieces and steam them.  You can use them the same way you would any green bean.

Recent Google Searches

How to spell A Cappella  (Acappella, A Capella, Acapella)
Who is the fastest kart in Mario Kart for Wii ?
Info on Irish Saint Caoilinn.
Skype or Google Voice?
How to skirt a fleece.

Evidently the Italian "A Capella" is preferred.  One of the kiddos must have been trying to find a sure way to win on Wii.  There IS a St. "Kaylen".  Google Voice is awesome!!! AND You can see we are putting the fleece information to use.  We built a screen out of pvc and garden fence.  Lovebug and Little Man are helping out. We are picking out hay and debris from Teddy's fleece to prepare it for spinning.

Camp Clean

Choosing a camp theme and sneaking in a few chores has been a hit in our house this summer.

On Blow Away Day each child gets a small bottle of bubbles and has to play with it throughout the day until it is all gone.

Dusting is fun when you turn on some music.  Give everyone a duster and have them freeze whenever you stop the music. Voila! Freeze Dusting.

My favorite is Scavenger Hunt.  We made a list of things the kids have to find in their rooms.  1 old magazine, 2 clothing items that are too small, a broken toy, a toy to pass on to someone else, 5 pieces of trash, a book they are done with.... The kids not only have fun with the game but with making the list.  

I think Freeze Dusting and Scavenger Hunt will be popping up again here, soon!

Fishing with Daddy

Circa 1968

Since Dad checks out my blog every morning, I'd like to take a moment to wish him a Happy Father's Day!

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of that which is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.  

-Anonymous