tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71330738109335867932012-02-16T17:50:48.251-05:00katienoreply@blogger.comBlogger481100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-75178875308285782082009-12-12T20:53:00.007-05:002009-12-12T21:52:31.533-05:00

It's the th of December?!Wow. Not sure how or when that happened...At any rate, December's twelve are presented for your viewing pleasure. :-) the Advent calendar--and yes, we did :-)signs that my honey's home holiday decorations inspired by my favorite antique shopone of the boys made this for our tree a couple new ornaments lovely holiday decorations little hands find the greenery and bells

katienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-44840083202109085312009-11-12T19:01:00.018-05:002009-11-12T20:54:58.964-05:00

Well, it's been a rather interesting week here at the castle... Most of the children and I have been sick. I am so very proud at the way the boys have stepped up to help with cooking and cleaning. I am blessed. Tonight I finally felt enough better to blog...and realized it is the 12th!So without further ado, my 12 for 12:I have spent much of the week with these items close at hand: Thankfully,

katienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-68855540144972177602009-11-08T10:29:00.004-05:002009-11-08T10:53:35.834-05:00

The move progresses nicely...boxes are being filled at a reasonable rate, lists are being made (and followed!), and still we continue with school studies. It's been interesting, for sure--but rather fun in its own way. There is a certain air of anticipation that fills the house...the boys are anxious to be in Ohio, close to their grandma and friends. I am simply looking forward to being settled

katienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-12439331288482505702009-10-20T13:30:00.011-04:002009-10-20T13:58:18.315-04:00

For those of you who haven't heard, we are moving!!Where, you ask??To the 'heart of it all'.....which means.... !!!Though this means big changes, we are all wildly excited. The relocation will put us very close to the boys' grandma, and that will be a blessing many times over. Quiet Man has informed me he will no longer be a da-- Yankee....he will just be a Yankee. And, on the heels of that

katienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-83169344626196907122009-09-21T22:13:00.007-04:002009-09-21T22:30:36.261-04:00

I think ducks and fish would feel right at home here now. It has drizzled for what seems like weeks on end. And the forecast predicts rain through the weekend. The yard is a giant sponge that squishes if you so much as lay eyes on it.One of the little boys emphatically informed me today that it's been raining all his life! I can certainly see where he's coming from, poor kid. A few of the boys

katienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-15655754919824000572009-09-12T21:02:00.009-04:002009-09-12T21:37:28.019-04:00

Today I'm trying something a little different. The idea is to take 12 photos on the 12th of the month. For a long time, I've been captivated by the glimpses into Sanja's day...and had to give it a whirl.Yes. This qualifies as sleeping in on a Saturday when you have 6 hungry boys waiting for breakfast. ;-)A cuppa for katie. (Is it just me, or does Honey Bear look a little nervous?)Oh! Today's a

katienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-72988280540896320962009-09-11T11:32:00.013-04:002009-09-11T17:32:02.634-04:00

I am tired.Tired of fighting, whining, bickering, and tattling two-year olds who masquerade as adults.Don't get me wrong--I love two-year olds. The cute, precocious ones. But adults who fuss and argue like two-year olds are annoying and embarrassing.Why will adults insist on acting like children?! Since when have *we* become so perfect that we now feel the right--nay, obligation!--to wrap

katienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-76563364831860603862009-09-05T07:06:00.005-04:002009-09-05T07:52:41.814-04:00

This summer, a friend of mine worked diligently on an important project. Finally, her task was completed. "It's in God's hands now", was the update to her facebook status. Friends wished her success and assured her things would go well. One short response caught my eye: "It always was." someone wrote. When I read that, I stopped short. This illusion of control we have is rather interesting. We

katienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-21023123616400379702009-08-26T16:37:00.003-04:002009-08-26T16:51:51.240-04:00

Yup. Been one of those weeks...but a really good week, to be sure. It's just that we've packed so much into the first half of this week, I feel like it's time to throw in a weekend! ;-)The boys and I have had a couple good badminton sessions this week. They're getting pretty good...and I'll admit to being kinda sore. I now see why tennis players have such marvelous shoulders and arms! I've always

katienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-44458929919133190072009-08-22T21:22:00.005-04:002009-08-23T22:44:06.090-04:00

This afternoon I sat and watched a large bird swoop and soar through the air. The wind came in gusts, blowing fiercely...then died down to almost nothing. As I watched that bird, it occurred to me that it was when he turned into the wind that he was best able to achieve new heights. The very thing that tired him and threatened to consume him was also what enabled him to soar ever higher.I think

katienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-56815875110756770042009-08-22T13:13:00.003-04:002009-08-22T13:16:27.805-04:00

Quiet Man and I walked 'round the neighborhood this morning, and there it was.Fall.In the air.In the raspy rattle of falling leaves.I don't know how I feel about that, exactly. On one hand, I know it must come...for everything a season...but on the other hand this has been one of the happiest summers of my life.Perhaps it is time for summer happiness to give way to autumnal happiness?For now, I

katienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-42823361518270180782009-08-21T18:48:00.004-04:002009-08-22T13:13:22.203-04:00

I will begin by thanking those of you who wondered where I'd got to...and whether we were okay. I apologize for just dropping off the face of the blogging world with nary a word. It is enough to say there were things that required some attention and much prayer. Perhaps, if I had begun with much prayer, I'd not have had to give them all the attention I did. Note made; lesson learned. :-)I feel as

katienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-60872580331151495562009-05-29T17:17:00.015-04:002009-05-29T18:06:35.130-04:00

I watch my boys at play, at work, at leisure...and I'm so glad they have one another. They are comrades, competitors, and kin, all rolled into one. There's no one that can irritate you quite like a sibling; but there's also no one who can understand you like that same sibling. *I look forward to watching the boys grow up. I anticipate more playful sparring, witty banter, and yes, the odd spat.

katienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-30806530168222782352009-05-18T18:10:00.012-04:002009-05-18T19:36:17.576-04:00

Last week, I took the boys outside to help put in the garden. It took us 8 hours, start to finish--what a day that was! Thankfully, we had very overcast skies and a light breeze. It really was perfect weather for gardening class! Here are some pictures of our work, compliments of DSs#1 and #2. early lettuce and greens... ...a volunteer squash plant--one of 5 or 6 that just popped up... ...

katienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-61517761395905437062009-05-18T17:27:00.010-04:002009-05-18T17:54:04.942-04:00

Do you like cheesecake? I certainly do! I'd never tasted it until Quiet Man and I had been married for a while. I'd seen recipes, heard rave reviews...and finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. Oh. My. Word! How on earth did I grow up without cheesecake?! Unfathomable.Here's a special kind of cheesecake that's always been a big hit here at the castle...combining two of the best

katienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-53157884138311881332009-05-12T18:17:00.015-04:002009-05-12T19:11:04.767-04:00

My guys. Was ever a girl as blessed as I? We went for a hike/bike ride at our local state park. The predicted rain never showed up...the weather was absolutely glorious.We brought along the wagon, thinking the little ones would tire quickly. Not so!! Evidently, being cooped up in the house due to all the rain made them want to walk all 2.5 miles! That was perfectly all right with me...you know

katienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-60361853210953471042009-05-09T09:52:00.011-04:002009-05-09T10:11:39.723-04:00

I love aprons. I have quite a few old ones...ones with fine embroidery, gingham and chicken scratch, made from old dish towels, fancy-schmancy ones that are lacy and sheer, half aprons, full aprons...lots and lots of aprons. I've even had people send aprons to me because they know I love them so. After all, what does double-duty (protection and self-expression) half so well as an apron?!With all

katienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-4461187113967887222009-05-06T18:34:00.007-04:002009-05-06T18:57:29.125-04:00

This is one of our very favorite dishes. Most times, I double or triple it. Thankfully, it's pretty simple. It's good and creamy...and it reheats well! Quiet Man frequently takes it to eat at work.Beef Stroganoff1 to 1-1/4lb ground beef (you can use sliced sirloin steak...)1/4 cup butter8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced1/2 cup onion, thinly sliced1 clove garlic, minced3 tablespoons lemon juice3

katienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-88841526071477466952009-05-06T18:11:00.007-04:002009-05-06T18:33:45.581-04:00

From time to time, Quiet Man gets an awesome deal on ripe bananas, and he buys them by the bag!! When the boys have eaten all they want, I start making banana bars. The riper (read: nastier) the bananas, the better these bars taste.Banana Bars2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt3/4 cup butter, softened2/3 cup white sugar2/3 cup brown sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract1

katienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-74892688888296527922009-05-06T14:35:00.009-04:002009-05-07T13:51:46.705-04:00

Biscuits.Need I say more?This is the best recipe I've found for biscuits. It comes from Quiet Man's grandmother's first edition Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book, c1950.Buttermilk Biscuits2 cups sifted flour2 tsp. baking powder1/4 tsp. soda1 tsp. salt6 tbsp. shortening2/3 cup buttermilkOven:450*Sift together dry ingredients. Finely cut in shortening. Stir in buttermilk.Round up on lightly floured

katienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-55726486856258674222009-05-04T21:47:00.009-04:002009-05-04T22:10:16.897-04:00

A friend has asked me to share some of our favorite recipes. Most of what I cook/bake on a daily basis is pretty simple fare...and can be doubled (or more!) without difficulty. ;-)Meatballs are a big hit around here. I make them more often than I used to simply because the boys are now big enough to help. They can shape faster than I can scoop! I also love the fact that these are oven-baked. So

katienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-82404308355608308472009-05-03T21:16:00.006-04:002009-05-03T21:33:55.230-04:00

Well, yesterday I fooled around and accidentally broke my glasses. They were the 'no frames at the bottom of the lenses' kind, and that made it near-impossible for Quiet Man to fix. Had they been framed all the way 'round, he could've soldered them for me. Long story short, I had to go to town to get an eye exam (it'd been 3 years) and glasses. I can/do wear contacts, but the pollen count here is

katienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-15356646311306773822009-05-01T13:55:00.006-04:002009-05-01T14:01:22.841-04:00

Cute personality test here. It's as easy as drawing a pig. :-)It was pretty accurate for me...certainly more so than many personality quizzes I've taken.Oh, in case you're curious...here's the link to my piggy. *oink oink!*

katienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-14551217669012100352009-04-29T18:43:00.006-04:002009-04-29T18:53:48.788-04:00

A little while ago, Miss Martha asked me how I tinkered with my blog format to make it wider. I scouted 'round the web and found this how-to. This is just how to make a 2-column page with one wide column and one narrow margin. I'm happier with this layout than I was with the 3-column layout--but that's just me. ;-)And here, I found a how-to for 3-column and/or wide 2-column blog. Now, I didn't

katienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-52509605436324103892009-04-25T15:12:00.014-04:002009-04-28T16:48:31.150-04:00

BEAUTY PRODUCTS:Urban Decay eyeshadow primer potion--seriously the best stuff evah for helping keep your eyeshadow in place and uncreased all. day. long.Urban Decay urban ammo eye palette --great, fun colors that blend beautifullyUrban Decay 24/7 glide-on eye pencil--best eye pencil I've ever used. Soft, but rich with color. Lots of fun, funky colors available.MAC Cosmetics Hello Kitty beauty

katienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-6026480946934737682009-04-23T10:34:00.004-04:002009-04-23T11:15:00.803-04:00

That picture pretty well sums up how we look and feel. :-\

katienoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-22829597004189545412009-04-21T20:56:00.008-04:002009-04-21T21:38:50.986-04:00

DS#1 with the pups. They're all getting big!! DS#3...dontcha just love squinty-eyed kid in the sun smiles?! Days and days and days of rain aren't so bad when you end up with this......or this!! And lastly, an etched stone from eldest DS.It sits in the front flowerbed where I see it everytime I come in the door. :-)

katienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-62799275095104665672009-04-16T20:52:00.007-04:002009-04-16T21:20:16.793-04:00

Hark, behold and voila! A finished project. Yeah. I'll wait for you to pick yourself up off the floor.Whatcha think?!I'll admit...this one was a bit of a challenge. Muy complicated for a beginner.However, the end result is so dang spiffy, I've already begun to forget my frustration. The free pattern (yay for free patterns, huh?) can be found HERE, although you will have to register to be able to

katienoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-4663990250597472832009-04-12T20:42:00.022-04:002009-04-12T21:26:55.928-04:00

Don't you love the things kids say?! You never know just what is going to come out of their mouths. That can be both amusing and terrifying.Quiet Man has taken to saying "Say goodnight, Gracie" when he tells our 3yo goodnight. Then when I tuck him in, the little stinker says to me "Good night, Crazy". Yeah. Funny guy.My 6yo was just explaining some sort of super-charged bit of fiction and in an

katienoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-76280926750942895102009-04-09T18:46:00.009-04:002009-04-11T11:38:13.634-04:00

A couple members of my kitchen crew...taste-tester and cleaner-upper. :-) homemade bread... tomato seedlings....(they're bigger than this now) amaryllis from Nana--don't you love the color?! ...and colored eggs!! What fun this was...for everyone!! ;-)

katienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-16416923810397382662009-04-08T12:32:00.009-04:002009-04-08T13:48:10.605-04:00

I've been thinking of the story of Joseph...remember him? His brothers sold him away from all he held dear in the world. Anything they could take from him, they did--even his treasured coat--then they sold him as a slave. I can't even imagine what went through his head. Was he outraged? Sad? Desperately lonely?? I don't really know. Scripture tells of his undying devotion and trust in Almighty

katienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-79659595372003028952009-04-06T19:32:00.004-04:002009-04-06T19:36:28.254-04:00

...when they said we'd have snow flurries today.Then, I looked out the window during supper and saw this...Ah well. What do I know?! LOL

katienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-50003320822564784322009-04-05T10:36:00.010-04:002009-04-05T22:45:04.356-04:00

First of all, I can't believe I haven't posted since the last day of March! Yikes!! I will try to briefly catch you up...April Fool's Day...it is enough to say I survived the empty chocolate bar wrapper...the snake in my shoe. I will rue the day I ever explained AF to the boys! LOLThe second and third days of the month were spent doing....whatever it is I do all day. ;-)Yesterday I was a hard

katienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-27788986399872984552009-03-31T18:55:00.005-04:002009-04-01T09:45:42.535-04:00

Do you remember the Sears Wish Book? I used to think they were the coolest thing ever. Not that I wanted much of anything...it was more sheer amazement that there was that much stuff available to anyone! Wow.Today I had a remarkably similar feeling when the Lion Brand Winter 2009 catalog showed up. Wow. So many cool projects! So many things to do with yarn!! So many colors!!! They're free, so go

katienoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-54061810097743342802009-03-28T09:20:00.007-04:002009-03-28T09:36:37.371-04:00

Here are our puppies, Chloe and Hogan. They eat a lot.They chew on everything.And they are adorable.

katienoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-51843211218334547632009-03-27T17:51:00.017-04:002009-03-28T03:02:00.405-04:00

It's a dreary day....in more ways than one.There've been some odd things happening lately.Things I don't like. Things I don't understand.The former bothers me. I am quite used to the latter. ;-)**So, yes, I am sad. But I will survive. And live to post happier things, I am sure. ;-)*For now, it is enough to say thank you for being a part of my life.

katienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-51631738037427548722009-03-26T17:29:00.003-04:002009-03-27T19:31:54.043-04:00

Yes, I'm playing with the blog.I finally figured out how to modify the original template, making it 3-column; but of course I wasn't happy with that. ;-)So, I've gone back to the original idea of making a wide 2-column blog...and selected my own photo, colors and fonts. Let me know what you think!

katienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-84110584028114835222009-03-25T11:31:00.009-04:002009-03-26T10:21:44.111-04:00

Here's a wonderful recipe ~ courtesy of my MIL.It's good as is, or you can add fruit, nuts, coconut, spices to suit your fancy.I've made it using chopped apples and vanilla.Today I tried dashing in some cloves and nutmeg--that got good reviews.After baking, it's good with fresh banana slices...or any fresh fruit, really.Baked Oatmeal 1/2 cup oil1 cup brown sugar (I do not use this much)2 eggs3

katienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-12043442154795316302009-03-23T18:51:00.006-04:002009-03-23T19:05:09.496-04:00

I am trying to find another template for this blog. I hate the fact there is alllll that wasted space in the margins. It drives me bonkers. And I'm not liking the fact that I can't put 2 photos side by each. How lame is that?! I tried modifying the existing template, but that didn't go so well because the computer keeps crashing. GRRR. I think, given a working 'puter and a few...uh...days, I

katienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-90929452662339861012009-03-22T18:28:00.016-04:002009-03-23T10:36:18.176-04:00

On Friday, Nana came over w/ a jeepful of plants. Isn't she the bomb?!She brought forsythias, yuccas, irises, canna lilies and liriope spicata (I had to go and copy/paste that last bit from her email because I can't pronounce it, much less spell it!)We're beginning to get someplace now! Yay!!The forsythias went along the fence where they'll form a bit of a screen from the street. Yay for privacy!

katienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-63748963885216440382009-03-20T11:09:00.012-04:002009-03-20T11:38:32.305-04:00

And no, I don't mean the Presidential kind of change. ;-)Lately I sense changes coming...I don't know when or even why, really...but I feel it.I think I don't like it.I'm comfortable where I am.But maybe that's why things will change?Without change, we stagnate. We cease to be productive. We don't have the chance to be flexible, to adapt to new situations, to use problem-solving techniques.I have

katienoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-19392390337187949212009-03-19T18:04:00.011-04:002009-03-19T18:41:46.122-04:00

I love my boys.I love their perspective, their observations--their wide-eyed innocence.I enjoy going to the mailbox for a breath of fresh air; but I love having the front door automatically open when I get back. There's a smiling face to greet me, and DS#3 says, "Ah hah!! The beauty sensor is working!" :-DI like it when I 'run away' to town for a few hours...and DS#5 misses me soooo much that he

katienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-6410235160519159922009-03-18T22:35:00.009-04:002009-03-18T22:50:38.547-04:00

I love my new dishwasher.And I love the man who installed it for me.While I was cleaning up the kitchen tonight, I realized that everything--I mean everything--was taken care of in about 20 minutes flat. Even after having used it for almost a month, that's still amazing to me.You can see I'm not the only one to be wildly grateful for our new kitchen clean-up assistant! ;-)Thank you, Hon ~~ you da

katienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-6166487133254360452009-03-17T08:09:00.007-04:002009-03-17T10:31:35.832-04:00

Well. We're in a recession.Does that really surprise anyone?Undoubtedly, there were many things leading to this...and I'm not here to point fingers or lay the blame at anyone's doorstep.I am, however, here to remind you (as well as myself) that panic and hysteria have never been particularly productive emotions. We end up playing the lead in a Chicken Little Production...which only leads to more

katienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-41862365115626357772009-03-16T20:44:00.011-04:002009-03-16T21:33:17.741-04:00

As promised, some photos of the trees we had felled last week. In the first photo, you can see the wicked looking cleats they wore to climb the trees. The boys were fascinated, watching them scale the trees, tie ropes and pulleys, then use chainsaws to bring them down bit by bit. A very smooth operation, all in all. The second shot shows them chopping up a large log. The tree was so dense and

katienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-81788367266364348542009-03-16T10:32:00.010-04:002009-03-16T11:06:24.365-04:00

Saturday I was in town, running errands and having *sigh* a little 'katie-time'. I had a couple coupons for Old Navy, so I went looking for clothes for DS#1 to grow into. The kid is already wearing a men's small (yikes!), and I've not got much that's bigger than that. Besides, I'd much rather buy clothes on sale before we need them. :-)By the time I'd gone thru all the racks, I'd found 8 pair of

katienoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-54626264835981307262009-03-13T21:10:00.007-04:002009-03-16T11:04:27.364-04:00

I never have understood this nonsense about Friday the 13th being unlucky. I actually like the day...probably because it's unusual. Like me! ;-)Imagine my surprise when the mailman (actually the mail lady...but that sounds sooo wrong somehow...) left this on my doorstep. A new cookbook--yay!! And speaking of cooking, check out my friend Robyn's beautiful cooking blog!! I have to tell you, every

katienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7133073810933586793.post-3870618425863381932009-03-12T14:24:00.009-04:002009-03-13T13:57:07.435-04:00

Hello and welcome to my new place!If you've followed me here from KB, hello and good to see you again!I'm still in the process of setting things up, hence the nekkid look. ;-) As I get time, I plan to add some new things...maybe some fun widgets, and as last time, links to my friends and favorite places on the web.It's been an interesting week here at the castle. We've had unseasonably warm

katienoreply@blogger.com4