A few things you didn’t know:
Two names you go by: Joce, Joci
Two things you are wearing right now: Slippers and a coat- we keep our house at a "healthy temperature."
Two things you would want or have in a relationship: I like honesty and gentleness.
Two of your favorite things to do: Cook and play outside.
Two things you want very badly right now: Hmmm, a nap and a cup of hot cocoa.
Two things you did last night: Played rummy and ate homemade pizza.
Two things you ate yesterday: Ceasar salad and Ramen noodles.
Two things you did today: I ate breakfast out at NCFR (I had a Canadian omelet-so good) and went to the library.
Two longest car rides: Well, in 5th grade my family-my mom, my dad, my 4 year old brother, my 8-months pregnant sister, and me- drove to California in my sister's Pontiac. That was really long. And, hmmm.....when I was little is seemed that riding to Amsterdam (NY) to visit my grandma was really long. But, it's only a half hour ride so maybe that doesn't count.
Two favorite holidays: Easter, and, umm, my Birthday.
Two favorite beverages: Root beer and chocolate milk.
Two things about me: I am a dairy goat judge and I like doing laundry.
Two jobs I have had in my life: Horsemanship director at a girls' camp, and talented and gifted teacher.
Two places I have lived: Let's list these two: Johnstown, NY and LeRoy, NY . See a theme? no wonder they called me Jello girl at summer camp. I can't get enough of that wiggly goodness.
Two of my favorite foods: Ice cream and calzone. Hands down.
Two places I would rather be right now: A pool or a horse barn.

Good Monday Morning!

Just a few quick thoughts this morning.

I have recently adopted two new ways to simplify my life and spend more time being here and now with those I am near.

The first thing is that in the morning, while I put my contacts in and get dressed, my dear sweet children get to play quietly in their nice warm room. It gives them a chance to play with the toys that are in there, and me a chance to gather my thoughts and prepare for my day quietly. Instead of starting my day harried and hurried, I start out calmly. Very good improvement.

The second thing is that I do not make or take phone calls on Monday. (Except from my mom). This way, I am able to work on my list of things to do without interruption. I have come to realize that I do not have to answer the phone every time it rings. I am not its slave. The phone is a tool for me to use as I need it. I am glad to have freed myself of one more possession- I may still own it, but it does not own me.

Free at last, free at last, I thank God I'm free at last. (Almost)

XOXOX

~Joce

Today's bribe picture comes from this past summer- every night we tuck our babies in bed and read them a story and say our prayers. (And enjoy a good paci or two, as seen above.) Don't worry, we always move Cade to his own bed.

Quote of the day:
Brilyn, verbatim, "Oh my dod, dere's a bid ole butt deer out dere."
Translated for any of you who didn't quite catch that, "Oh my God, there's a big old buck deer out there."
The best part is that she was psyching me out.
There was no buck deer or any deer or any animal at all, she just wanted me to come and look out the window with her. She's something.
If only we had named her after my cousin, Larissa. Then I could call her "Risser pisser" and get away with it.
Well, I'll just have to think of something that rhymes with Brilyn, or some derivative thereof, and that similarly expresses Brilyn's sweet little personality.
TTFN! (ta ta for now)
~Joce
P.S. IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

This picture makes me happy. It is me on the cruise we took in 2006. XOXO

I once heard a saying that gives the definitions of Yankee, and due to it's accuracy and hilarity, it has stuck with me to this very day.



"To the world, a Yankee is an American.

To an American, a Yankee is someone from the North.

To a Northerner, a Yankee is someone from New England.

To a New Englander, a Yankee is someone from Vermont.

To a Vermonter, a Yankee is someone who eats apple pie for breakfast."



Well, I have to say, if you take my breakfast habits and score from The Yankee or Dixie Quiz, I am pretty strongly Yank. 33%, Definitive Yankee. Which makes sense since I grew up 2 hours from Vermont.



Enjoy the quiz, and share your score with me!



XOXO

~Joce



Here's the bribe picture:

Now that's an egg!

Or, Poor Poor Little Hen.

Today, Joe found what is believed to be the egg of one chicken. However, this cannot be confirmed since no one actually saw her lay it. When interviewed, the hen's lawyer stated that she had no comment. However, our ace reporter was on the job and was able to snap a few pictures back at the ranch.

Witnesses were asked to pick the egg out of a line up normal grade A large eggs.

One young girl was seen trying to save the egg for the Easter Bunny.

The egg finally expressed a desire to settle down with a normal egg, hoping to live out his life in peace.

This photo is meant to both entertain and prove to the unconvinced masses that I do, in fact, bathe my children (sometimes).

The topic of the day: Parenting

Fun conversation from yesterday-

Brilyn, "Where's Daddy?"

Mommy, "At work."

Brilyn, "At school?"

Mommy, "Yes."

Brilyn, "With the kids?"

Mommy, "Yes. Do you know where Mommy works?"

Brilyn, "Church."

Mommy, "What does mommy do there?"

Brilyn, "Eats crackers."

What is that? In Brilyn's mind, Daddy works hard teaching kids, and mommy eats crackers!

Top 10 List: "Things to Step In"

I stepped in a cold puddle of pee pee on the bathroom floor. Brilyn sometimes 'misses.' I am not really sure how that works since she sits down for pee pee's. Anyway, the pee pee spawned this list. I made myself feel better by thinking, "It could be worse."

10. Cold pee pee with socks

9. Warm pee pee with socks

8. Cold poop with socks

7. Warm poop with socks

6. Cold puke with socks

5.Warm puke with socks

4. Chicken poop no socks

3. Goose poop no socks

2. Dog poop irregardless of footwear

1. Cat puke

I am not sure this list is complete. Please let me know what needs to be added and where it might come in on the list.

The Teacher's Funeral, by Richard Peck.

Richard Peck is one of my favorite authors. I just finished reading his latest book, pictured above. His writing style consists of understated humor (my favorite kind) mixed with authentic details of country living, all surrounding an engaging plot. This book is about a 15 year old boy living in 1904 with his older sister Tansy, younger brother Lloyd, and his widower father. Two of my favorite parts of the story are when he sets the privy on fire behind the school house and when he and his schoolmate have to save an enormous old lady who got stuck in the ditch. Peck's books always inspire me to keep some of the good ol' ways alive and let my children experience real country living. That's why we keep chickens, complete with an attack rooster. As an aside, I had to kick his cocky butt across the barn the other day when he attacked my boot. Chickens kick especially well, I never knew a rooster would get such good height and distance. maybe that's why they call it a "birdie" in badminton.

Well, keep checking back here, and please post a comment. It is more fun when you comment.

XOXO

~Joce

PS Here's the bribe picture. Enjoy.

Good Monday Morning!

I just thought I would share a couple of pictures of my cute babies for your viewing enjoyment.

Brilyn and Cade enjoying a moment among the poisonous plants at church on Christmas Eve. I mean pointsettia plants!

Little boy fell asleep after all the Christmas morning festivities....bounce, bounce, snore...........

Brilyn had lots of energy though, she was riding her "motorcycle!" You have to admit, the girl has got style!

The above pictures are of Brahma chickens. They are the kind I would like to get this spring. They are HUGE birds, the roosters can weigh more than 12 pounds! They are also a great breed of chicken because they are very gentle and lay eggs pretty much year round due to their immunity to cold weather. They are also really pretty, don't you think? Fluffy birdies!

Baby Bunny in the Garden, Summer 2007

We are also looking into getting a windmill to create our own electricity. The research shows a 50 to 90% decrease in electric bills. That is sweet! It is also a green source of power, which is always a good benefit as well. Anything to save the baby bunnies! I also hear there are tax breaks for residential windmill owners. I am pretty excited about it, so I thought I would share.

XOXO

~Joce

Check out this car ad. You can even email the mom through the website. Enjoy!

I tried out my cheese making kit with the one-hour mozzerella recipe. It was very easy and the cheese turned out great! Here's how to do it:

• 1 gallon whole milk (I used Byrne dairy since it is hormone free)


• 2 teaspoons citric acid


• 1/2 teaspoon lipase powder (in 1/4 cup distilled water)


• 1 teaspoon calcium chloride (in 1/4 cup distilled water)


• 1/2 rennet tablet (in 1/4 cup distilled water)


• 1/2 teaspoon flaked salt

Start by measuring out all the ingredients in separate containers. In a stainless steel pot heat milk over medium heat, stir in citric acid and lipase. Continue stirring until milk reaches 88 degrees. (I use a meat thermometer, it works faster than a cheese thermometer and so fits my personality better). You will see the curd start to develop. When the milk reaches 88 degrees, stir in the calcium chloride and rennet. Continue to stir until the milk reaches 105 degrees.

At that point, turn off the heat and let the milk set for 20 minutes. This will let the milk separate into curds and whey. During this time, preheat a double boiler.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the curds to the double boiler. Squeeze as much whey out of the curd as you can by pressing the spoon against the side of the original pan. Heat the curd on the double boiler until it begins to get sticky. At this point, squeeze out as much whey as you can. Add the flaked salt a little at a time while kneading the curd with the spoon. Continue to heat on the double boiler until the curd melts into soft stringy mozzerella!

At this point, the fun begins. Let the cheese cool just until you can handle it, then start stretching it out! Keep stretching and folding and stretching and folding until the cheese is completely cooled. Then, form into a ball and store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to one week.

This cheese is the tastiest, creamiest mozz I have ever had. I hope to find a milk source that will be a bit cheaper than $3.69 a gallon so that my cheese making adventures will be tasty AND cost effective. And healthier too, if I can find some raw milk. Maybe we should just have Penny come live with us again!

Well, Happy New Year! See you again soon.

~Joce

Brilyn and Penny, Summer 2007