Go Fish

When was the last time you played 'go fish'? This card game brings back memories of sitting on the grass boulevard in front of a Canadian Tire in some northern Ontario small town. The van had broken down on the way to camping. Again. So imagine this: a big, ugly brown 8-seater(but we had to fit 9 in) gas guzzling beast, 7 kids, 2 adults, a dog, a homemade plywood trailer filled with 9 bikes and camping paraphernalia and a bright red canoe strapped on top, or were there 2 canoes? Can't remember for this particular time, but I'm sure that's another time. Anyways, picture that stranded on the side of the road! Wouldn't you feel like starting up a "feed these children, buy this family a new van, and send these kids to camp' fundraiser? What? No?!? well, no worries..apparently, no one else did either. I was just hoping. This is where 'go fish' comes into play. We had to entertain ourselves somehow..with rounds and rounds of 'go fish'.Of course, there was always lots of arguing involved:
 "LIAR! You had the number 5"
"No, I didn't!"
"Yes, you did!"
Yah...good memories...
 Our boys go through game phases. 'Chutes and Ladders', 'Guess Who?', the memory game, games we have but don't know how to play(like 'Arthur goes to the Libary') and now 'go fish'. Once they have a game they really like, they ask if we want to play it only, I dunno, a thousand times a day. The best was the 'Guess who?'phase. They could play without the actual game.
In Zehrs: "Hey, that man has a moustache! Hey man, do you have a moustache?"
To the bakery lady with a tanning bed addiction: "Why do you have orange skin?"
To the lady at the local cafe: "I like your black skin and white teeth!"
Thankfully, that phase ended just seconds before I died of embarrassment. One of the twins ATE a person. Nope, can't blame the cat, or a mouse, or an imaginary pet dog, it was OUR kid that ate it, a couple people actually. sigh..not even sure who it was..

No matter what game is being played, Jonah wins. Honestly, 99% of the time, he wins! Either he's really good at games, or we just really suck at games. I almost resigned myself to the latter, but then I remembered: I have beat Dan O. and Rick at Settlers. (sorry guys, but that point did have to be mentioned). Sometimes it's a close game and other times, he annihilates the opponent. Either way, it's a fun and educative game to play with them. The twins are learning their numbers and  the always winning factor is boosting Jonahs' confidence. 

Go ahead, pick up those cards and play some "Go Fish'  If Jonah is not around you might even win...

How to Crochet a Bikini

HA! Don't hold your breath...there is no bikini crocheting pattern here. Likely never will be!
Crocheting is my new addiction. When I found out a friend had learned how to crochet using youtube videos, I knew I had to learn..and I haven't stopped since then. Okay, my area of expertise in crocheting is small...hats, scarf, cowls, flowers. Easy little things..like that crocheted bikini in the book from the library..that's my next project.
JUST KIDDING!
well..maybe I'm not kidding. But if I had one, I wouldn't tell you.
Or show you.
Yes, I know..you're welcome.
Along with the crochet addiction comes a Lens Mills store addiction. I grew up going to the one in Cambridge, downtown Hespeler area. It's in a OLD old factory and seriously, step on the wrong floor board and you'd think the place might come down on you. To make things worse, there is a basement. I use to think only the crazy quilting ladies went down there, but now I know why they do....having an addicting hobby makes you do things hazardous to your health. or life. Thankfully, the yarn is upstairs, not as scary, but the sound of the fans could make you think there is a tornado going on outside so you better stay in the store. That's what I told my husband when I came home two hours late.
The latest finished project is for my soon to be sister-in-law, Brittni. She is super crafty and creative. She can make anything. Seriously. She's even going to college for it. Probably has a crocheted bikini, if not crocheted, then knitted. Brittni has just opened up her own Etsy shop...click here to visit her shop.
When I saw this ball of yarn at Lens Mills I knew it would be made into something for her.

I love this colour!

Project: a cowl. Call me dumb (but not to my face please) but I never knew what a cowl was until this project. I guess it's for keeping your neck warm. Maybe someone who was afraid of being strangled by their scarf designed it. I'm thinking one for each of the kids would be good. For those of you who are dumb as well, here is a picture. (don't laugh.)

Here is the pattern. Just make sure you make the opening big enough for your head to fit through. I wish someone had told me this before I started.
And here is the finished cowl!

Happy Birthday Brittni...you don't have to worry about being strangled anymore!

In the Garden

If you're living in Southwestern Ontario you'll know what I'm talking about here. We had a few nice days of spring..we all got our spring jackets out, rubber boots, bikes and strollers and for some people..maybe a few gardending tools? and then...WHAM! A snow dump. Seriously!? Of course, we should be all use to this now..snow can come in March, April or even May if we're lucky. I think it's just harder to take once we've experienced the mild, sunny spring weather. Thankfully, I haven't had to go out into the snowy cold weather, just hibernating in here till it melts I think. (Missed my morning walk so far and..Jonah can walk home the 15K from school this aft, right?) I'm living vicariously through my kids whom I insist on sending outside to experience some fresh air and 'the last snowfall'. and...oh look...there's Caleb trying to scooter through the snow covered sidewalk.
If you didn't go as far as digging around in the dirt, maybe you were thinking about the garden. I'm thinking about my vegetable garden this year. This is the first year I am actually getting serious about a garden, so my experience is very limited. After reading  The Backyard Homestead I seem to have a 'go big or go home' attitude about this, but really, the realisation is that if I don't take it easy,  I'm going to be kicking myself once August comes around and pulling my hair out instead of the weeds!
So far, my list of veggies to grow includes celery, onions, peppers, tomatoes, kale, beans, potatoes, carrots, cucumber, lettuce and watermelon. We would also like to possibly try strawberries and perhaps a raspberry or blueberry patch.
Delving further into the 'The Backyard Homestead' is all about livestock, making your own beer and wine, etc..and this is where Dave is suddenly interested! Seriously though, chickens may be in the future...just gotta figure out a way past the no chicken bylaw..hmm...

I decided to try and grow some from seed.Why not? Looks easy enough. I've read books, gardening blogs,any possible pamphlet about gardening and asked a ton of questions to some experienced seed growers and I'm sure I've done it all wrong STILL! Onions, celery and peppers need to be seeded mid-March:

So far, after 7 days my onions started growing...yay! No sign of life from the celery and peppers, but the package states they germinate anywhere from 10-20 days, so I will practice my patience and hopefully I didn't screw it up! I mean..how hard should it be? dirt, seed, water and sun, right?

Hey..if you got any advice...I'll take it. We can barter.Your advice for some onions?

On the Menu

For dinner tonight we had a favourite recipe of mine since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Sweet n' sour sauce with rice..mmm! I've tried many sweet n' sour recipes and this one definitely tops the list...you'll have to try and see for yourself!

After Charlie was born my mom asked what kind of dinner I would like her to make for us ( I know, she's the best!). Right away I thought of this meal. The recipe must have gotten lost in the shuffle but mom called up an aunt who knew a friend who had a sister who had a cousin who knew that her best friends fiance's mom had the recipe. Okay, okay...just kidding...she just called up that aunt.

Anyways...we've been enjoying this meal regularly now. One of the meals the kids don't pull a face at too!

Here it is:

• 1lb or so lean ground beef
• approx. 1/2 cup diced green pepper
• approx. 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp soya sauce
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Brown beef in skillet. Add peppers and pineapple once brown.

Meanwhile, pour everything except the cornstarch into a small pan over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp cornstarch and keep stirring with a fork. Once that cornstarch is well stirred in add the 2nd tbsp of cornstarch. This should get thick quick. Don't let it boil.

Once it's thick, add the sauce to the meat and let simmer on lo for 5-10 minutes.

 Oh..and don't forget to make some rice to serve it with too!

                                                                            Enjoy!

Jonahs' class trip was canceled today due to all the snow, but he was stoic about it all and didn't mind having the extra time to snuggle with his baby brother Charlie. God has certainly blessed him with such a caring heart..we are so thankful for it! So is the cat...Jonah cleaned out his eye gunk for him today too.

I

The Beginning

I've been tossing around the idea of blogging for awhile now, so I'm giving it a try and here it is! I feel very blessed by God in my life with a amazing husband, 4 healthy boys, a supportive extended family, a home and a church. We have food on the table and clothes on our backs and good jobs all thanks to our merciful and mighty God.
 I thought I would share some of our life with you and some other things you might be interested in...I mean, who doesn't enjoy a good recipe or tutorial?! I've also recently learned that I may actually have a creative side, hence all the crocheting and sewing I've been obsessed about lately, so you'll be seeing some of that.  Miraculously, even my scrapbooking box was dug out of the basement...looks like the twins might get their own baby book after all! And really, wouldn't this be great opportunity to use my camera even more!? I'm no expert on anything (although Dave would beg to differ - apparently I'm an expert on adding to his 'to do list'), but I love to learn and try new things and then share with others...enjoy and feel free to leave a comment!

Christmas 2010