Almost Summer Pleasures

Not too many things whisper summer like a big ol’ slice of watermelon.

This slice requires extra hand support.

And here’s why eating watermelon is an outdoor activity.

Remembering our Soldiers

We went to Oklahoma during Memorial Weekend to visit with some of my family.  While there, my Dad took us to Muskogee to see the USS Batfish Memorial.  The USS Batfish was a WWII Submarine that went on seven war patrols.  I enjoyed touring the submarine and learning about its history.I just couldn’t imagine living for months in a submarine.  I gripe and complain at being cooped indoors when it’s rainy. The beds were stacked on top of each other and often in an engine room.  It must have been pretty loud…and smelly.The kitchen.Emily demonstrated how to use the phone on the submarine.My step-mom Sandra in one of the very narrow hallways.  I would have tripped all over myself in an emergency trying to run through those narrow corridors and through the holes in the walls that served as doors.Emily at the controls.  Maybe she should learn to drive a car first.Seeing this brought tears to my eyes.  The USS Oklahoma was hit by at least nine torpedoes during the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Within 20 minutes, she sank to the bottom of the ocean.  Thirty-two sailors were rescued alive, but over 400 were killed.  

I can think of only a few things that would compel someone to endure grueling hardships and the possibility of death.  They are loyalty, pride and love.  May we give all that and more to our soldiers in response to all they’ve done and continue to do for us.

Happy Memorial Day.

New Soap!

Energy Soap!  It smells as bright and cheery as it looks.  It’s a stimulating blend of Citrus, including Grapefruit, Lemon and Lime, with hints of fresh Cucumber and Jasmine, and a touch of Pineapple, Blackberry and Champagne. Energy is an exciting mix that's perfect for spring and summer.  It’s chock full of moisture-rich oils, including Calendula Extract Oil.  It’s currently my favorite bar of soap! 

I no longer have the Catie Beth website and am working on setting up an etsy shop.  If you’re interested in buying soap, you can email me or message me through Facebook.  I should have my etsy shop up soon!  All soaps are $4/ea.

Gardening 101

Gardening requires something I clearly lack……Patience.

From Tiger Cub to Wolf Cub

Look at my sweet Tiger Cub, way back in September, 2010.  Jacob had a great time during his first year in Cub Scouts.  He made friends, built boats and race cars, and earned belt loops.  He even skated for the first time because he really wanted to get the Skating belt loop!  It’s been a BIG learning curve for me.  I spent most of this year confused about what his Den was working on and what I was supposed to be doing with him at home.  But, hopefully we’re on the right track now.His Pack had a cake decorating contest at the Graduation Ceremony.  We entered in the category for “Most Patriotic”.  Jacob counted 50 blueberries and helped me put the strawberries on.  We didn’t win, but I think we did a great job!Here he is all ready for his Graduation Ceremony…his last time as a Tiger Cub.At last, a Wolf Cub!  He just beamed all night.  I’m so proud of you, Jakey Boy!

Gardening 101

Snow Peas!  I noticed these today.  Not sure how large they need to be before I can pick them, but I’m so excited to see them!And I found a banana pepper hiding beneath the leaves!Looks like I’ll have some Lincoln Peas soon, too!Here’s my (mostly) salad garden, with carrots, cilantro, swiss chard, cabbage, peas, snow peas, zucchini, basil, and calendula. And here’s my (mostly) salsa garden with cherokee purple tomato, banana pepper, habanero pepper, sweet bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, bush pickle cucumber, spaghetti squash, rosemary, and bush beans.Abraham is so happy thinking about all of the yummy veggies he’ll get to eat.

“Buh-buhs!”

Just a couple of brothers having fun outside with bubbles, or “buh-buhs!” as Abraham called them.Big brother’s gotta keep the bubbles comin’So little brother can keep chasing the “buh-buhs!”Thanks, big brother!

Not Too Bright

This is my dog, Brady.  Brady is a Brittany.  Brittany’s are a breed of hunting dogs; pointers actually.  In the above picture, Brady is sitting outside on the steps, waiting to be let back inside.  He is 0blivious to the rabbit sitting under the trampoline behind him.  In fact, he was unaware of the rabbit during the full 15 minutes he was in the back yard.

Did I mention Brittany’s are hunting dogs? 

Makes Me Smile

Have you ever been in a store and stumbled upon an item that just made you smile?  I’ve been keeping my eye out for new, plastic placemats (plastic because they’re easy to wipe up) and saw these at Kohl’s.  I smiled instantly.  I LOVE their 1950’s look!  AND, they were 50% off and I had a 15% off coupon!  Makes me smile even more.Don’t they make the table look so….homey? It just needs a slice of apple pie, because I don’t really like to eat cherries.

Dark Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Whenever I want to make pancakes, I turn to my hubby’s 30 year-old Betty Crocker Cook Book.  I love this recipe so thought I’d share with you!

Ingredients for nine 4-inch pancakes:

1 egg

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup milk (I add another 2 Tbsp because I like my batter a little thinner).

1 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

3 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp saltIn a large bowl, beat egg until fluffy.  Stir in remaining ingredients, just until smooth.  Heat griddle to 350.  Grease griddle with butter.  (I like to use a lot of butter.)  Pour batter onto griddle. There’s one more, important, ingredient that I added…Dark chocolate chips!Now THAT’S getting the day off to a good start!

Cat Antics

I have three cats, which is three too many.  Actually, I should say my family has three cats because I claim no ownership over these fur balls.  My cat, Tigger, died almost five years ago.  These cats are the bane of my existence.  Meet the clan.Toby, the stinky monkey cat.  Scott got him at an animal shelter 11 years ago.  He tries to remind me that I helped him pick Toby out, but I deny any and all association.  Toby is the anti-social cat; slinking around our bedroom and paralyzing with fear anytime I try to pick him up (which isn’t often given he’s rather large).  He likes to jump on our bed in the morning and head butt a hand to pet him. This is Sam, Caitlyn’s cat.  About three years ago, Caitlyn asked if she could get a cat of her very own.  She picked out Sam at the animal shelter, who was seven years old at the time.  Sam is actually a pretty sweet and gentle cat, but he needs to cool it with the hairballs and scratching up my couch.  I have to keep him out of Caitlyn’s room at night or he’ll roost by her head and paw her hair all night.And, finally, Sonic…Jacob’s cat.  I don’t know what in tarnation possessed me to bring home this scrawny kitten we found at summer camp two years ago, but Jacob wanted him so here he is.  He’s the hell-raiser of the bunch and owns the title of “Most Pee Outside of the Litter Box”.  All rights, honors and privileges pertaining thereto.  But he wins me over by curling up on my lap when I’m watching TV.

And now (drum roll, please) for the first installment of Cat Antics:After being outside with the kids this morning, I walked into my bedroom to find cat hair ALL OVER the floor.  Judging by the color, I’d say Toby and Sonic were having a go at it.  Needless-to-say, I took great delight in firing up the vacuum cleaner and scaring the bejeezus out of ‘em! 

Gardening 101

I visit my garden everyday; anxiously awaiting the chance to harvest something…anything!  Finally, the spinach looked ready for the taking!  I should add that this is my first time growing spinach.  In my eagerness to bring forth my bounty from garden to kitchen, I reached in and pulled out four lovely heads of spinach.  I carried them to the kitchen, pulled off the leaves and cleaned them.As I marveled at the size of the leaves, I tried to remember what kind of heirloom spinach seeds I ordered from Bakers Creek way back in February.  I found the packet of seeds.  It’s Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach and it’s been around since 1925.  I continued to read the back of the package, “harvest often for continued growth.”  Wait, what?  I had just pulled them up leaves, roots and all!  So, here’s my “bounty” for the season.  One gallon-sized bag of spinach.  At least until fall, when I’ll try again…now that I’ve learned my lesson.

Sewing Lessons

 

Caitlyn sewed her first pillow on her sewing machine.  I had to work hard at not jumping in and just doing it for her, but I knew she needed to get a feel for sewing and learn how to adjust the speed on the pedal and guide the fabric herself.  Still, I wanted to jump in and make corrections, but I think I did pretty well.  And Caitlyn did a GREAT job sewing her pillow!  She wants to remodel her, currently pale blue and white room, with shades of pink, purple and blue.  This pillow is her first step!

Morning Glories

I am not a patient homeschool mom.  When other moms tell me they could never homeschool their children because they “don’t have the patience”, I laugh.  Out loud, in fact.  I have very little tolerance for whining or bad attitudes when it’s time to sit down and begin school.  Fortunately, the kids were in good spirits yesterday morning. Not only did we finish school before lunch (which is always my goal), but we had time to shop at Target AND buy quarter drinks at Mobile!Jacob is working on pattern blocks…while Caitlyn finishes her math test.Abraham scored some new art supplies from Target.  He taste-tested the blue crayon, but it wasn’t to his liking.