The Last Day of October

(this is a very long post, but do read and get to the videos at the end)













I guess I have never really liked the word Halloween for some reason. But, for what it is worth, Happy Halloween.

Our Hallween was interesting here. The kids and I spent our day here at home playing games, reading and baking. Kalen, Madelyn and I made some delicious Pumpkin Bread. It turned out wonderfully and, as usual, the process was a lot of fun.

I had signed us up to do reverse trick or treating with an organization called Global Exchange. It was really easy to get involved with this group. They sent me a box full of these fliers with fair trade chocolate stuck to them. Our job was to read up on the problems going on today with cocoa farming, familiarize ourselves with fair trade distributing and be able to give our neighbors this information as we go trick or treating. It seemed totally doable to us and a good way to get the word out.

Now, to those that don't know, we don't eat hardly any candy. Our children know chocolate and lollipops. Everything else is foreign as far as candy bars, fireballs, and gum. So, going trick or treating has never really been an interest of ours. Since we had these fliers to give out and we wanted to meet more of our neighbors, we figured we could kindly accept the candy and give it away later.

We fully informed the children of our plan and they really took to it. Some of you may feel sorry for them that they could not keep the candy and eat it. Don't. Our children know that candy is not good for them and they will gladly tell you why. We are not ashamed to go the hyperactive-free & cavity-free path.

Halfway through the evening as we were in the middle of our neighborhood, Julian offered to give the fair trade chocolate to a neighbor and tell them about it. I was so proud of him. Children truly learn from what we do and say. The kids had great attitudes and really enjoyed themselves quite a bit.

The kids did get some pretzels that they could eat. They made a big pile and we looked through the loot. We found some really interesting things that are on the market now. Kalen had a candy eyeball and Maddie had a candy tongue. Yuck! We thought it would be funny to take a photo of our kids heads by all the candy, such a contradiction. We put all the candy in a big basket and gave it to the trick or treaters that visited our home, along with some stickers I had bought for them.

Oh, by the way. If you couldn't tell, Maddie was an angel, Julian was a knight, Kalen was a penguin and Brayden was Tigger.

If you get a chance, check out what is going on with fair trade products like chocolate and coffee. We highly recommend Equal Exchange. Look them up on www.equalexchange.com. I am providing a video I found on YouTube about what is going on with child labor, trafficking, slavery, and poverty involved with cocoa farming in different parts of the world. It is sad to see that America's love for chocolate is promoting such disjustice and inequality. I also found one with Equal Exchange. Watch them. It is worth your time. I think we should take responsibitliy as consumers.

Enjoying Duke Gardens

We visited Duke Gardens today. It is such a peaceful and refreshing place. I see ourselves going there more often. There are lots of wide open spaces, ducks, gorgeous plants, squirrels, birds, trails and paths, and tons of huge trees. The kids really come alive.

Julian, Madelyn, Kalen and Brayden all enjoyed going to see the ducks first. I think I have mentioned before that they have many different kinds of unique ducks there.

I brought us a little picnic supper, because today Scott had his night class. Picnics are always a thrill for the kids. Brayden was especially delighted to sit and eat his sandwich while watching the squirrels scramble and jump around.

I loved watching the kids play tag and run till their cheeks were red. It started getting quite chilly and Kalen had to go potty, so we headed for the van. On the way back Kalen learned not to touch a cactus. Yes, they have cacti there and of course, my curious Kalen would find it and experiment with it. He was fine after I removed the pointy thing and he had a good scream and cry.

Reading and Writing

I feel like I always have something to blog about. I love posting. It is a stress relief, a form of expression and a means of communication to all of you. No matter how much chatter there is in the background. No matter how many baskets of laundry yet to be folded are around me. No matter what time of day. I can sit and vent, brag or just relay my thoughts to you all. There are countless things to share or confess each day. Today, I am most thankful that my daughter is now a reader. Just recently, Madelyn and I have been picking out level one books from the library for her to read on her own. She has amazed us. She is very persistent and willing to grow. We are so proud of her.

Madelyn is also doing very well with her writing. Julian and Madelyn are both working through a series of books called Draw, Write, Now. It teaches children drawing and handwriting. I am posting a picture of Madelyn and Julian working on their Draw, Write, Now today. You can kind of see what the process looks like.

Our Homeschool continues to ignite me weekly. I am so challenged by the growth, passions, curiosity, energy, and determination of my children.

Little Recap

Our weekend was full of this and that. My hubby was so good to me and helped out in two major ways this weekend. On Saturday morning he took Jules, Mads and Kalen out to the Farmer's Market during Brayden's monster morning nap. This, of course, was after our yummy banana and pecan pancakes, straight from my new cookbook.

I was thrilled to have some time alone. I decided to clean the house. I scurried around this house faster than you would believe. It was like I was racing to see if I could get it all done before they returned and Brayden was up. I did it!!
Scott also cooked up some delicious soup that night. He had bought some greens from the farmer's market and made a soup he calls, "two bean and three leaf vegetable soup." It was really tasty. I made some extras for the kids, to go along with the soup. You never know with kids concerning soup. I am so thankful to have a man that makes such a great teammate. It really takes such a cooperative effort to get things done around here. He is always so willing to come to my aid and give things his touch here and there.

My dad and Sally were able to join us for a bit this weekend. They had both been traveling and decided to drop by. It was so good to see them.

Kalen was so cute about wanting to continue working with his homeschooling on friday. He had done several things like art, devotions and his workbook, but he wanted to do more. So, I put him to work in the kitchen. He cleaned two bags of red and green grapes and took them off the stems. Then, he put them in a large container for us. Never doubt what kind of jobs children are capable of doing. I think I added a picture of him with his proud container of grapes. He is a hard worker and such a helper.

Today was a full day of church, cooking, playing, and more church. Throughout all of our activities this weekend we have been so thrilled with the rain and the cool fall temperatures. Ahh . . .

A Passion of Mine

I really love to cook. It is fun, relaxing, there is always something to learn, and it is a way of expressing myself. As we have changed our diet numerous times, I have had to be creative and rely on vegetarian/vegan cookbooks. I have had my eye on a cookbook for some time now. It is Sarah Kramer's La Dolce Vegan cookbook. She has several others. This one in particular is one that my sister-in-law, Shanda, has and I have actually looked through. You should know that Shanda is an excellent baker and loves to make treats for her niece and nephews.

Anyways, we were at the Morrison's house last weekend and Jan made several dishes from this cookbook. They were fabulous! I told her I had to get the cookbook. Without hesitation, she says something like, "yes, we'll have to go pick that up today." My mother-in-law is one of the most giving people I know. Soon after we spoke about the cookbook, she had found her credit card and was practically shooing me out the door to go get it. She is one of a kind.

I have been drooling over this new book. Sarah Kramer is quite an eccentric person and cook. If you see the cover of her cookbooks, you'll see the colorful characteristics I am referring to. I like her already. She has a website at govegan.net. Her recipes are doable, fun and yummy.
I have taken some photos of some biscuits I made this morning. I also have a photo of my new cookbook, new cookbook holder, and a nice Southern Living vase. These are all compliments of my generous and classy mother-in-law.

Thanks, Jan. I love you so much. You are such an amazing giver. I appreciate how you have taught me how to cook over the years. Without you knowing it, you have encouraged me to enjoy being in the kitchen and providing meals to my family. I appreciate you and your way of loving on people and their passions.

Carrying Him

Tonight, Kalen fell asleep on Scott after his bedtime reading time. Scott had turned on the World Series and Kalen was out. I just stood and stared. It was the sweetest sight. I am not a very free spirited mother. Our kiddos are on a good schedule and go to their bed, to sleep, each night at a reasonable time. Rarely do we turn on the TV with our children present, this was a special and rare thing.

When it was time to scoop him up and take him to his bed, Scott asked me to. As I was reaching for him, I couldn't remember the last time I held him when he was asleep. Oh how it just filled me with so much joy. To carry this little one all the way upstairs was so sweet. I walked slowly.

I remember my Daddy carrying me to bed, a lot, as a child. I can still hear his knees and/or ankles popping, as they would when he would climb up the stairs with me. I remember in those sleepy moments feeling a deep sense of love and care from my father.

Tonight, I am reminded of the need for children to break from the normal routine of the day and relax, let down and be nurtured and loved by their parents.

We Should Allow Ourselves To Think About It

*U.S. society is extremely naive about the nature of agricultural production. If the public knew more about the way in which agricultural and animal production infringes on animal welfare, the outcry would be louder.*
~Bernard E. Rollin, PhD
Farm Animal Welfare
Iowa St U. Press, 2003


*Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.*
~Albert Einstein
letter dated 1950
quoted in H. Eves' Mathematical Circles Adieu, 1977


*Animals are God's creatures, not human property, nor utilities, nor resources, nor commodities, but precious beings in God's sight.*
~Rev. Andrew Linzey
Oxford, Animal Theology, 1995




(info and pictures from veganoutreach.com and veg.com)

Ganyard Hill Farm

Today, we met some members of our homeschool group at a farm in Durham. I just wanted to share some sweet moments with you all.